Just to further show my latest obsession, I’m curious as to which one you think is a hotter warrior. Maximus in Gladiator or King Leonidas of Sparta in 300. They both fight to the death for freedom and they’re both the greatest (and possibly the hottest) heroes and warriors of all time. OK, when I say “hottest” I mean the actors, obviously, since no one knows what the real warriors looked like back in them days. But anyway, it still boggles my mind, though, to see those Spartans fighting in their, um, brief and cape. I suppose that’s what real men do. But anyway, you decide who’s hotter!
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Leonidas is getting the votes because he’s the new guy in town, but Maximus, despite any voting to the contrary, will always remain the best, not just because the poster on the left is an obvious rip-off of the poster on the right, but because Leonidas fails to be emotionally engaging and emotional engagement is what makes hot really and truly hot. A wheatfield, in and of itself, doth not make emotion real. I will grant Gerard the 6-packs. Russ went for a more actual look for the body of an ancient swordsman. I will grant Gerard the over-all beefcake award, but not the “hot”…as hot is more than muscle deep.
Jo
Agree completely with the comment by “Jo.” Also, the appearance/visual effects of “300″ makes it appear more gritty than it would have if filmed the way that “Gladiator” was filmed. I think that is part of why Leonidas might get more votes. Russell just looked hot and like a gladiator with just his very own looks, without enhancement of digital photography.
Patricia
What I was gonna say! With Russell, all that you see is REAL. Gerard Butler is nice looking and all, but when one has to use CGI to help tell the story - bleh. Maximus, Maximus, Maximus!!
You girls have got to be kidding! Gerry doesn’t need any help to be sexy and hot, or tender and loving - he IS all those things in real life. And, hearing him even speak politely to super-intruding paparazzi (much more than they deserve) rather than throwing phones at people makes him all the more believable as a real man, because he is. It’s Gerry all the way, I can’t even bear to look at R. Crowe.
Who’s the hotter warrior? There is absolutely no contest there; it’s Gerry all the way. He puts his whole being into every role he does and trained hard for the role as Leonidas. It takes strength, determination and a strong passion for what you believe in to be a leader, and Gerry more than portrayed it in 300. And unlike, most leaders who will send their armies into battle, Leonidas led his men and was not afraid to die for what he believed in. This the mark of a true warrior and king. The hotter warrior? It’s Gerry by a landslide.
I won’t put down Gerry because I voted for Russ, but I like them both quite a bit as actors. I just happen to think that Russ is hotter as Maximus, and I believe the question was about Maximus and Leonidas and not about the personal real lives of the two men. Gerry in some pictures I’ve see lately getting in shape as Leonidas are extremely hot, though! Mmmmmm …. But alas, my heart still favors Maximus as the hotter warrior.
It’s truly possible, you know, to say nice things about one person without having to put another down. We are, are we not, comparing Leonidas with Maximus, not Gerard with Russ…true? Yes, Gerard IS a very nice man. No dispute there. And, yes, Russ has had some issues but has settled down rather much now into fatherhood. I met in in May and he could not have been more gracious despite being quite tired. As for the other Gerard comment, yes, he DID train most vigorously for the role, as did Russ for his. No one can truly say that Russ does not put his heart and soul into each and every role and he has the Oscar nominations to prove it, were it not obviously evident enough, which it is. Also, we are not comparing Leonidas with leader who send men into battle and watch from a hillside or some planning room. Maximus, getting back to the real issue here, was right there in the midst of his men every bit as much as Leonidas. I think Gerard did very well with what he was given to work with, well, indeed, and it is an undoubted pleasure to look at him as he does it. But the role of Maximus just is a more fully-developed, fully-realized role and there is nothing in 300 that can compare with the morph of emotion on Maximus’ face as he is scraping his SPQR tattoo off his arm…just for one instance. I like both men and go to see the movies of both because I enjoy them both. But Maximus is dealt with in much more depth because of the way his movie is set up. Maximus is the centerpiece of the entire movie. In the 300, the battle is the centerpiece.
Jo
The simple fact that Gerard’s fans feel the need to start mudslinging in order to promote him is revealing in itself. When one starts lowering one person, in order to raise another, it only serves to lower the one they are attempting to raise to an even lower position than the person they are trying to put down. I voted for Maximus, but in no way do I consider Gerard a lesser person, or actor. Jo is right in pointing out that the poll is refering only to both actor’s roles, not their private lives. C’mon all you Gerard fans, where’s your class ?
Thank you ALL for participating in this Poll and leaving your insightful comments! It’s great to be able to gather fans in a small little environment like this.
Also, thanks to Jo for spreading the word. 
I agree completely with Jo’s comment #7. It could’nt have been said better!
Essie
*MY* comment was in the direction of the difference between the styles of the movies, rather than the actors themselves, but then, that is my faux pas when I just jot off a comment in haste…this is why I hate commenting in blogs, period…I have to spell out every flipping nuance of my opinion in order to avoid a flame war. I wanted to say that Maximus is the preferred character in this poll because there was little to no CGI to enhance the story…whereas the director of “300″ was going for his own unique style but it is not one I particularly prefer. Because of that style I am not all that certain I will ultimately deem Gerard Butler as the hotter of the two. I was merely pointing out one facet or quality that I used in making MY particular judgment.
Gee, I guess I owe an apology here. I felt the comments about the “enhancement of digital photography” and the “wheatfield & biceps.” were not true, kind, or fair, and sounded to me like a put-down. I guess I misunderstood what I read?
I would like to comment on the subtle loving way Leonidas looks at his wife’s face before he leaves her forever, saying with his expression what love he feels for her - and the way he talks to, and looks at, his son, too. I felt that was so beautifully expressed that I wanted to cry. The look of anguish and despair on his face when he realizes they’ve been betrayed, after all their effort and sacrifice to save their country, is very moving, also. He made me want to cry again at the injustice of it all.
Certainly, however, it is not fair to say that it demeans Gerry if I incorrectly, and perhaps unkindly, interpret someone’s comments. It is true that I have a hard time hearing someone speak badly of him, but my shortcomings are my own, not his.
Maximus is the Hotter Warrior. But Maximus is a warrior who cares about his family, his troops, his leader and his dream of Rome and what Rome stood for. All of that combines to make him not merely the “hotter warrior” but the “Hottest Warrior.
Several of my friends as well as myself, tried to vote for Gerry Butler, and your poll would not allow it, saying we had already voted. None of us even knew about the poll before now, and certainly we had not voted for either Russell, or Gerry. Can you check to see why this would be? Thanks, Hoodin
I voted for Leonidas. Both warriors have courage, honor, commitment, love of their men, country, and countrymen; a sense of justice and the right course of action - even it is not the popular choice, compassion, and a strong devotion to and love of their family.
However, the question is not about the character of these men - it is about who is the hottest - and that brings the actor into play. I prefer Gerry’s look over Russell’s - plain and simple. There was no CGI involved in enhancing Gerry’s muscles or body - that was all him; the CGI was used for the landscape, fight sequences, monsters, and such - so that should not be used for choosing the hotter warrior.
Summing up, in character - the two warriors are very much alike; but as far as looks are concerned, I prefer Leonidas.
Wow, I really had a hard time with this because both Gerry and Russell are my favorite actors and I love both of these movies for similar reasons. Both men, Leonidas and Maximus, are REAL men. They know who they are and where/what the right fight is. Their men stand behind them 100% to fight to the death for what they believe in-freedom. You feel their sorrow and despair as each realizes what their future is, or lack of one.
Gerry’s Leonidas knows that he will not be returning and it does pain him but his sense of honor, duty, country takes over. Maximus wants to be a free man again, wants to make his men free, while knowing that the only place he wants to be is with his dead wife and son.
Sure, 300 may be CGI but it still takes acting to draw one in to each of the characters and I think Gerry and the gang were definitely up to snuff 120%. In between all the fighting there was heart, humor, love, courage, anquish-all felt by this viewer, THAT was not CGI enhanced!
I did vote for Gerry, ‘cuz as much as I adore RC, Gerry is it for me. He is a rising star and deserves it all, personally and professionally. It’s been a long time coming.
Gerard as King Leonidas is the best! He is the perfect warrior and he loves his family. He leads his men and dies for his freedom. Go Leonidas!!!!
Wow, you guys are the most insightful “blog commentators” I’ve ever met. Other blogs’ commentors are like ‘whatever’ but you guys are thinkers!
Thanks for voting and commenting! 
I vote for Gerry because I recently saw 300 and was stunned by the visual beauty of the film and the fight scenes. I saw Gladitor on TV and liked it as well. Maximus and Leonidas both fought freedom in their own ways. I’m surprised that you did not include another great film in your poll. The film i’m talking about is Braveheart. Loved it.
Gerry is “PACKIN!”