Gladiator II (2024) Movie | Paul Mescal | Pedro Pascal | Connie Nielsen | Review & Facts

[Music] e e e hey there movie lovers welcome to MP movie facts your hub for all things Cinema get ready to dive deep into the world of film with us from the latest Blockbusters to Hidden gems we're here to dissect discuss and debate it all join us every day as we break down The Good The Bad and The downright epic in our honest and insightful movie reviews whether you're a DieHard film fanatic or just looking for your next flip to watch we've got you covered so grab your popcorn hit that subscribe button and let's embark on this cinematic journey together Gladiator 2 is an upcoming epic history historical action film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott serving as a sequel to Gladiator 2000 the film was written by David Scarpa from a story he wrote with Peter Craig and stars Paul Mescal Pedro Pascal Connie Neilson and Denzel Washington Nelsen and Derek jacobe reprised their roles from the first film three it was produced by Scott free Productions in association with red wagon entertainment and Parks plus McDonald image ation for Paramount Pictures the story follows Lucius the former heir to the Roman Empire who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Marcus acacius during the reign of the co-emperors kacala and geta a sequel to Gladiator was discussed as early as June 2001 with David frenzon and John Logan set to return as screenwriters over the next few years Scott offered occasional updates including including the possible involvement of the original film's lead actor Russell Crow along with plot ideas about the Roman afterlife and different historical time periods development was halted when DreamWorks sold the rights to the property to Paramount in 2006 the film was finally announced in 2018 and mesco was cast in the lead role in January 2023 with a script by Scarpa the rest of the cast signed on over the next several months film foming took place between June 2023 and January 2024 with a 5-month Hiatus due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes Gladiator Roman 2 is scheduled to be released internationally including the United Kingdom on November 15th 2024 and later in the United States and Canada on November 22nd in June 2011 developments for a gladiator 2000 followup began in the form of potential for either a prequel or a sequel with David fzone in early negotiations to once again serve as screenwriter 12 the following year a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter the plot set 15 years later included the petorian guards ruling Rome and an older aged Lucius searching for the truth about his biological father frenzon signed on as producer alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parks 13 in December 2002 the film's plot was announced to include prequel events regarding the parentage of Lucius as well as sequel events depicting the resurrection of Maximus producers and Russell Crow collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife 14 by September 203 Ridley Scott announced that the script was completed while confirming that the story would primarily center around the secret son of Maximus being Lucius in May 2006 Scott stated that while development on the project continued the exact story for the film had yet to be mapped out the filmmaker stated that all creative minds that were involved with gladiator were working on how to continue from where the story left off scott stated that Crow had favored a fantasy element in bringing Maximus back to life while Scott believed a grounded historical approach was the better option while he believed the film would not be made he confirmed the plan to reveal that Lucius is the son of Maximus and Lucilla he also discussed the necessity of a more complex script with the corruption of Rome in the potential sequel 16 during this time Nick Cave was commissioned to write a new draft of the script it was later revealed to be written under the working title of Christ killer cave described the plot as a deities versus deity versus Humanity Story the premise involved maximus in per Ator who is resurrected as an immortal Eternal Warrior for the Roman gods in the draft Maximus is sent to Earth and tasked with stopping the momentum of Christianity by Killing Jesus Christ and his disciples as their movement was gradually siphoning off the power and vitality of the ancient pagan gods during his task Mission Maximus is tripped into murdering his own son cursed to live forever Cav script included Maximus fighting amongst the Crusades WW2 and the Vietnam war with the ending revealing that in the modern-day time period the character now works at the Pentagon the script was ultimately rejected and scrapped 171 to9 After experiencing financial difficulties in the 2000s DreamWorks Pictures including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre- twin and6 liveaction film library was sold to Paramount Pictures in 26 and development on the sequel was halted 20 in March 2017 Scott revealed that the difficulties of reintroducing Maximus when the character is deceased had been resolved the filmmaker expressed enthusiasm for the future of the project while discussions with Russell Crow to reprise his role were ongoing 21 in November 2018 it was announced that Paramount was green lighting the development of a sequel Scott was in early negotiations to once again serve as director with a script written by Peter Craig Scott will additionally serve as producer alongside Doug Wick Lucy fiser Walter parks and Lori McDonald the project will be a joint venture production between Paramount scottf free Productions Red Wagon entertainment and parkus MacDonald image Nation 22 by June 2019 producers stated we wouldn't touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate in their interview they also revealed that the current script takes place 2530 years after the first film 23 the plot will center around Lucius 24 in April 2021 Chris hensworth approached Crow with a proposal to become involved with the project with the intention to co-produce the film while working together on the Marvel Cinematic Universe maku film Thor love and thunder 2022 the two actors shared additional ideas for the film 25 by September 2021 Scott stated that the script was once again being worked on with his intention being to direct the sequel upon the completion of production on his current project Napoleon 2023 26 in November it was revealed that David Scarpa who worked with Scott on Napoleon was rewriting the script 27 Scarpa was hired by Scott because of their friendship but struggled with him to find a good script for the film story since 2019 leading Scott to wait 10 months until Scarpa came up with the idea of using Lucius as the protagonist 28 originally greenlet with a production budget of $165 million the cost of the film ballooned to a reported $310 Million by the time filming wrapped though Paramount insisted the net cost did not exceed $250 million two additionally Wiley Scott's desire to have a rhino battle in the original film which went unrealized due to cost was included in the sequel the production received nearly Euro 47 million in film incentive rebates from Malta setting a record the largest rebate issued for a film production in the European Union in January 2023 Paul mcll was cast in the film as the adult Lucius originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark while it was also reported that Arthur Max and janty Yates the production designer and costume designer of the original film respectively would also be returning to work on the sequel 34 Scott was unaware of mescal's Fame until he watched his performance in the BBC three Hulu miniseries normal people shortly after the story for Gladiator Roman 2 was finalized and Scott ultimately cast mcll in the lead role after a brief Zoom call 284 Austin Butler Richard Madden and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role 35 Mescal was chosen after Darius cersek and Michael Ireland had seen his performance in the Westend Revival of a street car Named Desire claiming that the ladies in the audience had been very vocal when he had taken his shirt off 36 in March Barry Kagen entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor kacala while Denzel Washington joined the cast 3738 regarding Scott and his brother Tony and as great filmmakers who never miss Washington accepted the role out of interest to work with the inspirational Scott brother again after their previous collaboration in American Gangster 20078 additionally John mat was set to return as cinematographer for the film 39 in April 2023 it was announced that Connie neelen and Jim andh hanu would reprise their roles as Lucilla and Juber respectively while Joseph Quinn was at to the cast as Emperor geta 4041 in May 2023 Pedro Pascal May calamari leor Raz Derek jacobe Peter Mena and Matt Lucas joined the cast of the film with Fred hinger entering negotiations to play carala after Kagen had to drop out over scheduling conflicts jacobe reprises his role as Senator Gras from the first film 4211 hinger would be confirmed the following month 43 in December hu announced that despite initially being involved he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts production was expected to begin in May 2023 with W aate Morocco set as a filming location 45 set construction began in the city in April 46 filming began in June 2023 with additional filming locations planned for Malta which stood in for ancient Rome and the United Kingdom over the following 4 months 4748 an accident involving fire during filming on June 7th injured six crew members 43 filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disput 49 filming resumed on December 4th in Malta 50 and wrapped on January 17th 2024 51 filming also took place on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke Sussex in June 2024 Gladiator Roman 2 is scheduled to be released internationally including the United Kingdom on November 15th 2024 and later in the United States and Canada on November 22nd by Paramount Pictures Universal Pictures declined to co-finance the sequel or distributed overseas as it had the first film leaving only Paramount as the worldwide distributor 5657 in Australia and New Zealand Gladiator Roman 2 will be released earlier on November 14th 58 it was previously scheduled for a global release on November 22nd 59 on July 1st 2024 it was announced that the film's release date would be shared with the first film of the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked from Universal whose date was moved from November 27th to avoid competition with Mona 2 this sparked speculation whether pitting the two films together could result in a scenario similar to the barbin Heimer phenomenon resulting from the films Barbie and Oppenheimer being released together on July 2st 2023 60 on July 10th 2024 Mescal dubbed the pair up as glicked and voiced his support for the two films as a double feature saying it would be amazing cuz I think the films couldn't be more Polar Opposites and it worked in that context previously so fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend 61 much like the original film Gladiator Roman 2 was given a r rating by the motion Picture Association due to strong bloody violence footage of the film screened at the cinem in 2024 in Las Vegas included scenes of Quinn as carala dressed in a white toga and Laurel Leaf Crown dramatically plunging his thumb downward to note the fate of defeated Gladiators with neelen in the background 48 in June of that year Scott showcased an extended clip of the film featuring Denzel Washington Paul mcll Pedro Pascal Connie neelon and Joseph Quinn 63 a poster for the film was released on July 8th 2024 with a trailer released the following day 64 the trailer will also reportedly be attached to the Marvel Cinematic Universe muu film Deadpool and Wolverine 2024 slated for release on July 26th 202 4 65 Jennifer owlet of RS Technica said the trailer indicated the film promises to be just as much of a visual Feast as a new crop of Power Players plus a couple of familiar faces Clash over the future of Rome 66 rather than using an orchestral score the first trailer used No Church in the Wild by Jay-Z and con West which caused a backlash among film fans some attempts to justify this choice of Music cited the trailer for the first Gladiator which had used BT daava by Kid Rock 67 on the first day of the 20124 NFL season Paramount Pictures and Pepsi announced a campaign cross promoting the film with the soft drinks sponsorship of the National Football League a series of advertisements will feature football stars Josh Allen Derk Henry Justin Jefferson and Travis Kel as grid iron Gladiators with Megan the stallion appearing as ESS Megan few films can match the massive financial and critical success of Ridley Scott's period piece epic Gladiator just when you thought films about Warriors in ancient Rome reached their Peak with movies like benur and Spartacus iname Ridley Scott with a modern action spectacle that set a new bar for production design in film making and featured revolutionary special effects if the technical aspects weren't already enough for the movie to make its mark on film history Gladiator also came complete with a powerful and engaging plot as many probably know Gladiator tells the historically fictitious story of Maximus Russell Crow a Roman general who becomes the victim of a coupe by Caesar Marcus aurelius's own son Commodus joquin Phoenix Maximus is stripped of his Rank and sentenced to be a slave in the fighting pits of Rome's gladiatorial industry all while kadus orders the execution of maximus's wife and child fueled by Vengeance over the slaying of his family Maximus uses his combat training and Military expertise to quickly rise through the ranks of Rome's fiercest Gladiators eventually becoming a symbol of Hope for Rome's persecuted citizens before coming face Toof face with Emperor kadus the result of the film's impressive sense of scale film making prowess and thrilling plot led to the film receiving nominations for 12 total Academy Awards ultimately taking home five including the coveted best picture prize since then Gladiator is remembered as an acclaimed classic in the eyes of both critics and audiences with The film's Final Duel resulting in the death of Maximus it seemed that the story of gladiator was completely over and done with as we've now learned Ridley Scott still has plans for the story of gladiator to continue Whispers And plans for a second Gladiator film have been circulating ever since the success of the original film with Russell Crow himself stating that conversations about a follow-up never truly ceased allegedly past ideas have included Gladiator Roman 2 taking a page out of the Bible and resurrecting Maximus as well as an idea for things to take an even more Supernatural approach with Maximus engaging in gladiatorial combat against mythological foes in the Roman afterlife as the long awaited continuation is finally entering production only time will tell if Gladiator Roman 2 will stay true to its grounded roots or introduce more Fantastical elements get ready to be entertained by another trip to ancient Rome as Gladiator Roman 2 officially arrives in theaters on Friday November 22nd 2024 opening the same day as Gladiator Roman 2 will be John M choose long awaited feature film adaptation of wicked starring Ariana grand and Cynthia Aro could this be another barbin Heimer situation we'll just have to wait and see the first Gladiator film grossed a whopping total of $53 million us at the international box office exactly quintupling its budget of $13 million us with numbers like that it seems extremely unlikely that gladiator Roman 2 would even think of forging a theatrical release not to mention a spectacle like gladiatorial combat is surely something that patient fans would want to see on the big screen rather than on their computer that being said we wouldn't rule out a streaming release and given that the Gladiator intellectual property is owned by Paramount Pictures it seems a release on Paramount plus would be fairly likely Paul mescal's character Lucius was a key supporting character in The Original Movies storyline played in the first film by Spencer Treat Clark in the first Gladiator Lucius is a young boy who is the nephew of the villainous kadus and the son of kad's sister Lucilla Connie neelen despite only meeting him a handful of times Lucius quickly grew in admiration for Maximus as he became a hero in the eyes of the many Spectators in the Coliseum from that point on Lucius decided he didn't want to be the next in line for the Roman throne but instead wanted to be a symbolically heroic Gladiator like Maximus when he witnessed Maximus and Commodus seeing his Brave sacrifice in the face of a maniacal ruler must have truly affected him arguably the biggest star returning for Gladiator Roman 2 is the man in the director's chair Ridley Scott Scott is a prolific filmmaker who requires no introduction with examples of his acclaimed directorial work including alien Blade Runner Thelma and Louise Blackhawk Down The Martian and many more pending the screenplay for Gladiator Roman 2 is David Scarpa who previously collaborated with Scott as as the writer for all the money in the world as well as Napoleon other major crew members include other frequent collaborators of Scots such as individuals who worked on the original Gladiator like Academy Award nominated cinematographer John mat Academy Award nominated production designer Arthur Max and Academy award-winning costume designer Jandy Yates Paramount Pictures is preparing to send audiences into the Coliseum with gladiator Roman 2 the long a ated sequel to Ridley Scotts Academy award-winning action flick Gladiator ahead of the film springing to life this November Empire magazine has released two new images of the project which show off new looks at two of gladiator e alist Stars Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal while also giving some more details about the filming process the first image shows off Mescal as lucious as he is forced to fight in the chaotic deadly environment of the Coliseum in Rome taken prisoner Lucius must fight to survive against some of the harshest conditions of the Roman Empire and its ruthless Emperors get a Joseph Quinn and caracola Fred hinger the other image shows off Pascal in full armored action as Marcus acacius a brutal Roman general who was once under the tutelage of the protagonist of the first film Russell crows Maximus Marcus acaas is shown in the midst of a full-throated battle Scott Fresh Off directing Gladiator Roman 2 described the film as the best thing I've ever made though he has made a few good ons the legendary director said of gladiator Roman 2 it's full boore brutal action which is seemingly evidenced by the pictures mcal also spoke about the physical elements of playing a gladiator telling Empire I had always had a kind of latent ambition to do something that was more muscular and physical mcll added we made an attempt to not feel slick you're feeling like their bodies are slowing down as they're fighting it's not like Ting Ting Ting it's more brutal you're feeling the fatigue beyond the aforementioned Stars Gladiator Roman 2 has a large Ensemble of wellknown faces working to bring ancient Rome to life this includes Denzel Washington as macist a former slave who Now controls his own unit of imprisoned Gladiators other cast members include mayam Alexander Kum and Rory mccan additionally Derek jacobe and Connie neelen reprised their roles as Lucilla and Senator bras respectively from the first film Scott also known for his iconic films such as alien Thelma and Louise Blackhawk Down And Blade Runner directed Gladiator Roman 2 from a script by David Scarpa Scott is also producing the film alongside Michael pruss for their Scott free Productions Banner Cent while Doug Wick and Lucy fer produce for Red Wagon entertainment executive producers include Walter parks and Lori McDonald among the highly anticipated movies this year is Paul mescal's Gladiator 2 the movie is a sequel to Ridley Scott's Gladiator and takes fans back to the Roman Empire to be entertained the feature has been long in making as Scott searched for the right story and talent and given the initial trailer of the feature he has found the right mix the historical drama will be a mix of riveting story and high octane action sequences a new feature at takes us behind the scenes with actor Denzel Washington to showcase the Grandeur of the sets I think this is the biggest film I've been on Washington says as the clips show us the making of the sets they built the Coliseum it's a ride it's a spectacle he adds the first trailer showcased many interesting fights that are in store for the fans that ALS Al includes a rhino fight among other things as the Director wanted for his original feature starring Russell Crow elaborating on the practicality of the SE washhington added with a smile everywhere you turn you feel like you're in that world and I love that Gladiator 2 has an ensemble cast that includes some old faces and many new ones Washington plays a former slave macist who has risen to be a power broker in Rome Scott previously teased that his character would symbolize the life that was forbidden to Maximus crow in the original film there were businesses of Gladiators who could indeed earn their freedom if they stayed alive that was the deal so we went right into that in depth where did he come from how was he taken he was branded with marks and registered with a brand on his chest as a slave so that's how he comes into the story he's a rich guy who's still carrying a grudge the upcoming feature will pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the original set two decades after the events of the original film it follows Mescal as Lucius the son of Lucilla who was around 12 years old when we last saw him now he has become a gladiator and is hellbent on avenging the ones he's lost how macaronis fits into the story remains to be seen the movie also cast Pedro Pascal Derek jacobe Jim and hansu Fred hinger and Connie neelen among others Gladiator is one of the rare ostensibly original films of the 21st century that managed to become both a massive critical success and a commercial achievement this level of success is rare under parameters but it's even more impressive considering that gladiator wasn't connected to a previously established franchise although there may have been doubt about whether Ridley Scott could pull off a modern sword and sandal epic a genre genre that had been largely dormant since the 1950s Gladiator proved to be an unmissable cinematic hit and became one of the few summer Blockbusters to win the Academy Award for best picture although it's easy to look back at the film's production with rose tinted glasses a constantly fluctuating script made filming Gladiator an experience as challenging as fighting in the Coliseum Gladiator had been in development for years at Universal before Scott eventually signed on to the project and hired John Logan to rewrite the screenplay although production had been progressing at a steady Pace in 1999 the death of Oliver Reed caused temporary shutdowns that forced Scott and his crew to rewrite the script much to the displeasure of his actors due to many changes in character motivations and expositional events both Russell Crowe and joquin Phoenix improvised a lot of their Dialogue on Gladiator Crow was peing in popularity at the time glad theor was going into production as his Stellar performance in Michael man's acclaimed biopic The Insider had earned him the first Academy Award nomination for best actor of his career perhaps it was his inflated ego that led him to assume some creative responsibilities on the set of gladiator as Crow and Scott had completely different ideas on what Maximus character Arc should look like a DreamWorks executive reported that Crow was not well behaved as he would frequently get into braws with local villagers on set in Morocco to get into character while Scott had to reign in Crow's improvisations when he took to rewriting elements of the script he knew that he needed a significant star to ensure that gladiator would be a box office success and justify its ballooning budget Pro outright rejected many of gladiator's most iconic moments the iconic line in this life or the next I will have my Vengeance was almost absent from the film because Crow refused to say it however some of Crow's improvisations made it into the Final Cut Scott liked a moment where Crow kneeled and prayed before a major battle so much that he decided to include it figuring that it was in line with the chivalrous way that Maximus would conduct his duty in the midst of any hectic conflict the now beloved moment where Maximus runs his hands through a field of wheat was the result of an improvisation on the part of Crow's stunt double who was performing in his place during pickup shots in Rome Crow was an established star at the time that gladiator was filming but Phoenix had much more to prove despite doing Stellar work in films like Parenthood and to die for when he was a younger actor Phoenix needed to prove that he had graduated from the child star phase and was worth taking seriously as an adult actor however the production was also challenging for a different reason as Gladiator was the first film that Phoenix filmed after the death of his brother River a child star best known for his work in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the mosquito Coast kadus wasn't necessarily written as a very complex villain but Phoenix Drew from his own feelings of heartbreak to create a multifaceted character who truly believed that his Wicked actions were in the best interest of the Roman Empire and its future it was a performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination for bests supporting actor solidifying his place among the most Brave performers of his generation Phoenix also made observations that helped improve Gladiators historical accuracy while filming a carriage scene in which kodus is riding with Lucilla Connie neelson Phoenix noted that there were no public bathing houses at the time meaning the entire vehicle would be laced with a horrible odor this led Scott to add shots of both kadus and Lucilla using fans made out of butcher herbs in an attempt to mask the smell while it's a minor detail that viewers may have only noticed after multiple watches it just goes to show the importance that Scott paid to Minor Details none of the film's grandiose action sequences would be merely as inspiring if it didn't feel like they took place in an authentic version of History the massive success of gladiator led to a Revival of the historical epic genre with subsequent sword and sandals films like 300 and Troy released in the direct aftermath while none of these imitators had the same staying power as the original Gladiator it did Inspire Scott to make several other projects set in the same genre the next two decades saw him making the medieval war film Kingdom of Heaven the darker reinterpretation of Robin Hood the biblical epic Exodus gods and Kings and the acclaimed by AIC the last duel each film contained a similar amount of spectacle and Stakes as Gladiator after years of rumors and rewrites Gladiator Roman 2 is finally set to his theaters this fall and has easily become one of the year's most anticipated films while it's exciting to see how new cast members like Paul mesco Joseph Quinn Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal will fit into the dense mythology it remains to be seen if the sequel can live up to the legacy of its predecessor for over two decades Gladiator fans have lamented the loss of a cut action sequence the Coliseum battle featuring Maximus Russell Pro squaring off against a rhinoceros with a surly disposition sadly the scene was cut from the film due to the high price tag associated with computer effects in the early 2000 however the scene exists in the form of crude storyboards and CG test footage accessible through a hidden Easter egg deep within the menus of the original DVD release the secretive nature of the Easter egg gave the cut sequence an almost Mythic reputation if you knew you knew now all these years later Ridley Scott is finally delivering on his original vision for the highly anticipated and star studded Gladiator Roman 2 there's a lot to like about Ridley Scott's Roman epic for starters Unforgettable performances by Russell Crowe and Joe Quinn Phoenix elevated the film to Oscar caliber both were nominated for Academy Awards with Crow himself bringing home the statue to boot the setting of Rome was so convincing one could almost taste the kicked up Coliseum dirt in their mouth it was a full meal of a movie which left fans satisfied that is until they navigated the menus of the first issue DVD and discovered a hidden Easter egg deep within the chapter selection screen viewers could click on a mysterious symbol which carried them to a hidden section full of secret files there one could see storyboards of a Coliseum fight pitting Maximus against a charging rhino another file even included CG test footage of the Rhino which by 2000 standards is very convincing all of a sudden fans were left wondering how the movie would have shaped with the inclusion of the scene thus the legend of the Rhino was born during Gladiators production in 1999 shot primarily in Malta just south of Sicily director Ridley Scott found himself in a picture the shoot date for a big second act fight sequence between Maximus and a veteran Gladiator build as Tigris was fast approaching the script called for joquin Phoenix's devilish Emperor Commodus to throw a wildcard element into the fight a raging rhinoceros within the plot the fight was promoted as a spectacle for the masses but it's true intention was to guarantee the death of Maximus despite the collateral damage there was only only one problem Scott didn't have a rhino understandably this gave Scott pause a horned freight train in the middle of an already hectic film set could have been a recipe for disaster and a cause of indigestion for Universal execs so Scott pivoted to CGI where shortly two VFX houses bued for the contract tippet studios in Berkeley and pdii DreamWorks in Redwood City each submitted test animations as well as Hefty price tags which gave Scott a major case of sticker shock it was then that Scott made the crushing decision to scrap the Rhino alt together coincidentally this was Scott's second time rejecting tippet Studios for a bid according to Phil tippet Scott's producers had reached out to the VFX house during the production of Blade Runner for the creation of a stop motion owl in both cases the price tag would have broken the budget in lie of a CG rhinoceros Scott called on production to find a handful of tigers for the fight scene a much easier ask than highly endangered rhinos on paper they seemed like a worthy alternative after all tigers are dangerous apex predators that strike fear with just a growl right but when cameras began rolling during a fight the Tigers were unmotivated they chose to lounge around like house cats instead of being vicious maneaters the film needed them to be no one knows for sure why the Tigers were lacad isical that day maybe the Heat or fatigue from travel but cameras rolled nonetheless and the results were convincing enough through the help of clever editing carefully spliced inserts of snarling Tigers helped maintain the scene's tension light CGI was also employed to make it seem as if Maximus was fending off the beasts with his shield and Gladius the final product was compelling and un budget but perhaps most important ly it adhered to the film's tone introducing something so Fantastical as a rhino during a key character moment may have thrown the feel of the movie off by a few hairs by keeping the Tigers in the background the camera could focus on the hero's Expressions as he fought one of the most formidable opponents the film offered even though real life Rhino battles were recorded in the Coliseum log books a more subtle approach to combat made the scene go a long way and created a classic confrontation in the process Paramount released the first trailer for Gladiator Roman 2 which stars Paul mcll Joseph Quinn Pedro Pascal Denzel Washington and Connie neelen and it is a barn burner everything we know and love about the original film seem to be cranked up to an 11th the fights are bigger the drama is juicier the villains are smer and lo and behold a rhinoceros is featured smack dab in the middle of the Coliseum floor and by the look of it they didn't skimp on the budget this time around with a bloodied Tusk and a truly frightening charging speed this rhino is as fearsome as fans had imagined since the year 2000 one can only hope the sequence will live up to the legend it has created but its presence in the film is already buying Goodwill among fans is the inclusion of the Rhino a nod to the longtime faithful or perhaps Ridley Scott finishing what he started all those years ago either way Gladiator fans are about to get what they've always wanted and deserved Russell Crowe the iconic actor who brought Maximus to life in Ridley Scott's original 20 Gladiator recently opened up about his mixed feelings towards the upcoming sequel during an interview with Kyle Meredith Crow shared his reservations and nostalgic Reflections on the legacy of the film that won him an Oscar Crow's portrayal of Maximus a man seeking Vengeance against the corrupt Emperor who murdered his family remains one of his most memorable roles the film's success catapulted him to International stardom and left an indelible mark on his career when asked about his thoughts on the sequel Crow did not hold back I'm slightly uncomfortable with the fact they're making another one because of course I'm dead and I have no say in what gets done Crow admitted he expressed concerns about the direction of the new film hinting at some aspects he found troubling a couple of the things I've heard I'm like no no no that's not in the moral journey of that particular character but I can't say anything it's not my place I'm 6 ft under so we'll see what that is like the sequel introduces Paul Mescal as the new lead playing the adult version of Lucius the young nephew of kadus originally portrayed by joquin Phoenix Mescal known for his role in normal people has acknowledged the daunting task of stepping into the Gladiator Legacy I feel really excited but like it's difficult to get away from the legacy of the film a bit Mescal told Esquire I think it's really well written and it pays homage to the first one but it's very much something that I think I can step into and make comfortably my own when asked about any discussions with Crow regarding the original film Mescal responded I don't know why what we would talk about like I'd love to hear his stories from filming but the character is like totally separate Gladiator 2 has been in various stages of development for 20 years and it's finally arriving in 2024 although it's going to be very different from the original 2000 movie despite the ups and downs and numerous changing story Concepts the Gladiator sequel news revealed so far has confirmed its in production the original Gladiator was beloved by fans and critics alike gaining 12 Oscar nominations and taking home big prizes in best picture and the best actor category for Star Russell Pro Ridley Scott will once again be at the helm for Gladiator 2 and plans for the sequel have been in the works since the first film's huge success and have gone through different scripts and creative teams at one early stage Nick Cave was attached as a screenwriter with a script that would see Crow's Maxim returning in a reincarnated form to go on a Fantastical romp through historical eras thankfully the plans have changed and the latest Gladiator 2 plot will follow a much better story written by David Scarpa and picked up by Paramount with the anticipated sequels release date looming nearer the latest news comes in the form of the first trailer for Gladiator 2 The Epic 3 minute long trailer explains the backstory of Paul muscal Lucius as he grew from from a young boy to a vengeful man with nothing but revenge on his mind Denzel Washington's Shady dealer maconis is more than willing to utilize lucious's quest for blood to further his own gains including Bringing Down the entire Roman Empire as the trailer reveals Gladiator 2 is already shaping up to top its predecessor in terms of action and visual spectacle the Gladiator two cast is quickly expanding with many notable actors attached the Gladiator sequel will see Academy Award nominated actor Paul Mescal afteron take on the lead role of Lucius in Gladiator Lucius was the son of Roman Empress Lucilla and Lucius Baris nephew to the villainous Roman emperor kadus in the original film he was played by Spencer Treat Clark but Mescal will be taking over the role Fred hinger is playing emperor caracola in Gladiator 2 whom Barry Kagen was originally rumored to be playing Emperor carala was a real Roman figure who ruled from 198 to 2011 based on caracalla's history it's unknown if he could be the villain to succeed kadus however Gladiator 2 could seek to change historical events for its narrative benefit the Gladiator 2 story will take place over 20 years after the events of the original film and follow a now grown Lucius as he takes on Maximus Legacy Lucius was the son of Lucilla neelen and he had a front row seat to Maximus story in Gladiator however rather than ascending as Caesar which was his Birthright he was moved by Maximus sacrifice and bravery and swore to carry on his legacy Gladiator 2 will see Lucius now a grown man fighting in the ring and willing to do anything to get his revenge against the Roman Empire Paramount Pictures has released a three-minute trailer in anticipation of gladiator 2's impending release dat and it is a spectacle in its own right the lengthy teaser introduces Paul mescal's Lucius as the son of the slain Maximus Russell Crow from gladiator who has dedicated his life to getting revenge enter Denzel Washington's macus a shady character who also dreams of bringing down Rome and is willing to harness lucious blood rage to achieve his goals though all was not revealed the trailer succeeds at imparting the sheer scope of the long awaited historical epic Denzel Washington responds to the Gladiator 2 accent criticism directed once again by Ridley Scott serving as a sequel to his best picture winning film from 2000 Gladiator 2 follows an adult Lucius Paul mcll the former heir to the Roman Empire who is forced into Life as a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Marcus acaas Pedro Pascal during the rule of co-emperors caracola Fred iner and get a Joseph Quinn Gladiator 2's cast and characters also include Washington as macaronis a power broker who keeps a stable of Gladiators the character of macrinus is from North Africa but when the Gladiator 2 trailer dropped earlier this summer many people pointed out on social media that Washington was simply using his own accent North Africa was a key location in the original Gladiator as Russell Crow's character Maximus is sold into slavery there and fights his way through the local tournament the sequel follows a similar story with Lucius living in numidia a province on the North African Coast which is invaded by Pascal's General Marcus accius forcing Lucius into slavery since macrinus isn't from Rome his accent would naturally differ from the Roman characters though it's uncertain what a non-roman accent would have even sounded like during the time that Gladiator 2 is set there was also the added risk of unintentionally imitating a bad African accent which would have technically been more historically or geographically accurate but could also have come off as inauthentic or even offensive in turn to avoid these various pitfalls Washington simply stuck with his own accent over his career Washington has taken on roles that required the use of accents though he is much more acclaimed as an actor for his commanding presence than his dialect work work in 1987's Cry Freedom Washington played activist Steve boo using a South African accent that was generally well received though some noted it was not Flawless while Washington's accents have been competent over his career his performances are generally celebrated for their gravitas which should still be the case in Gladiator 2 Ridley Scott explains why he did not consult with Russell Crow for Gladiator Roman 2 Crow played the starring role of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original gladiator who famously died after defeating Commodus and restoring Rome as Marcus aelius intended Gladiator y's story will see Lucius Veris Paul Mescal as the protagonist this time following Maximus footsteps as he becomes a gladiator and tries to save Rome from its corrupt leaders while speaking with Empire magazine Scott shared his candid reason for why he did not feel the need to consult with Crow on Gladiator Roman 2 he expressed gratitude for having worked with Crow along with sharing admiration for the actors exemplary career Scott also touched on the challenge and solution of determining the best story to tell when developing the long awaited sequel to the original Gladiator film despite Crow being integral to the first film success a sequel with him would not have worked given Maximus fate any way of bringing Maximus back would cheapen the Imp impact of the character's sacrifice and the culmination of his satisfying Arc in Gladiator there were earlier iterations of a sequel that involved Maximus waking in the Underworld and encountering mythological beings before being resurrected which could have allowed Crow to remain at the Forefront of the franchise this would not have worked though as it would undermine gladiator's perfect ending and be a jarring switch to a mythological story as Scott indicated the simplest and most obvious way to continue the story was to instead focus on Lucius and What Becomes of him and Rome after the events of gladiator this ensures that Maximus Legacy and his impact on Lucius can be an important part of the sequel without retroactively damaging the original film Lucilla Connie neelen and Senator Gras Derek jacobe returning from the previous film will also help Gladiator Roman 2 feel like a proper sequel unlike Maximus their characters survived and can still influence the story of Lucius along with Rome's ongoing political transformation Gladiator Roman 2 will feel different without Crow and might struggle to live up to the heights of its predecessor but there was no viable sequel with the actor and therefore no need for Scott to consult him Gladiator 2's age rating has arrived and it continues a Ridley Scott trend from the original film Scott returns to the director's chair for the anticip ated upcoming sequel to 2000's Gladiator the Gladiator two story takes place roughly 20 years after the end of the first film following Lucius Paul Mescal as he becomes a hero of the gladiatorial Arena trailers have thus far teased that the film will feature many returning elements from the acclaimed original filmratings.com now reveals that Gladiator 2 will be rated R just like its predecessor the film earned the rating for strong bloody violence which is slightly different from the intense graphic combat that earned the original in R while the specifics of the rating may be different audiences are clearly in for a violent Ride reviews for the original Gladiator are generally very positive and the film is widely regarded as one of Scott's best Pros strong performance a great score from Hans Zimmer and the moving Gladiator ending are all reasons why the film is so well regarded but bloody hard-hitting action is undoubtedly another key ingredient in the film's opening 10 minutes viewers witness Maximus leading a Roman army against a barbarian horde and the resulting Clash is a graphic one the action itself is a core part of why Gladiator works so well and the graphic nature of the violence helps to reinforce the stakes the opening battle demonstrates Maximus prowess as a warrior and the subsequent Gladiator fights are bloody and many characters don't make it out alive the R-rated killing on screen helps to transport viewers into the terror of the gladiatorial arena and reinforces that though this may be a form of entertainment for those in the stands it's life or death for those doing the fighting if Gladiator 2 had instead opted for a PG-13 rating which would have in theory allowed more viewers to go check it out in theaters those who enjoyed the first film likely would have felt disappointed Not only would this have felt like a cynical business-driven decision it may also have taken power away from Lucius own journey and the dangers of his experiences in the Coliseum thankfully however it looks like Gladiator 2 will be just as violent as the original Ridley Scott asserts that gladiator Roman 2 is one of the best films he has ever directed Scott has an impressive filmography featuring many acclaimed films that have defined the science fiction and action genres including alien Blade Runner Gladiator and the Martian Gladiator E's story picks up more than 20 years after the original film with young Lucius varis Paul Mescal now a man following in the footsteps of Maximus Decimus Meridius Russell Crow as he becomes a gladiator and challenges the leaders of ancient Rome while speaking with Empire Scott now puts Gladiator Roman 2 among his best films declaring that it's the best thing I've ever made or at least one of the best things I've made a few good ons Scott also promises that it's full bore brutal action that will be just as impressive if not more so than the original Gladiator the project has been in the making for more than two decades going through many phases of development and delays before ultimately coming to fruition Gladiator Roman 2 has already been built with enormous enthusiasm and high expectations and even more so now that Scott considers it on par with the best films he has ever made the sequels trailer does match the brutal violence and spectacle that Scott has teased with Lucius having to navigate a water-filled Coliseum a rhinoceros and other threats in the Gladiator Arena that even Maximus did not have to contend with during his harrowing Journey General Marcus acaas Pedro Pascal will also fight Lucius in the Coliseum and is clearly a formidable opponent while the action spectacle cinematography and star studded cast all look promising it remains to be seen if the story itself can rival Gladiator or Scott's other beloved films despite Gladiator Roman 2 characters Lucilla Connie melsen and Senator Gris Derek jacobe returning from the first film The SQL almost seems more like a soft reboot than a direct sequel Lucius is a clear replacement for Maximus with his motivations and Arc appearance ing to be nearly identical the same goes for macaronis Denzel Washington replacing Antonius proximo Oliver Reed while acacius Emperor geta Joseph Quinn and Emperor carala Fred hinger take over from Commodus joquin Phoenix a soft reboot could work well but it seems unlikely to be as compelling as its predecessor or Scott's other best films nevertheless Scott is clearly proud of gladiator Roman 2 and it still has the potential poal to become one of his greatest works the film was finally announced in 2018 and mcll was cast in the lead role in January 2023 with a script by Scarpa the rest of the cast signed on over the next several months filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024 with a 5-month Hiatus due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes Gladiator Roman 2 is scheduled to be released internationally including the United Kingdom on November 15th 2024 and later in the United States and Canada on November 22nd in June 2001 developments for a gladiator 2000 followup began in the form of potential for either a prequel or a sequel with David frenzon in early negotiations to once again serve as screenwriter 12 the following year a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter the the plot set 15 years later included the petorian guards ruling Rome and an older aged Lucius searching for the truth about his biological father frenzon signed on as producer alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parks 13 in December 2002 the film's plot was announced to include prequel events regarding the parentage of Lucius as well as sequel events depicting the resurrection of Maximus producers and Russell Crow collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife 14 by September 2003 Ridley Scott announced that the script was completed while confirming that the story would primarily center around the secret son of Maximus being Lucius in May 2006 Scott stated that while development on the project continued the exact story for the film had yet to be mapped out the filmmaker stated that all creative minds that were involved with gladiator were working on how to continue from where the story left off scott stated that Crow had favored a fantasy element in bringing Maximus back to life while Scott believed a grounded historical approach was the better option while he believed the film would not be made he confirmed the plan to reveal that Lucius is the son of Maximus and Lucilla he also discussed the necessity of a more complex script with the corruption of Rome in the potential sequel 16 during this time Nick Cave was commissioned to write a new draft of the script it was later revealed to be written under the working title of Christ killer cave described the plot as a deities versus deity versus Humanity Story the premise involved Maximus and Purgatory who is resurrected as an immortal Eternal Warrior for the Roman gods in the draft Maximus is sent to Earth and tasked with stopping the momentum of Christianity by Killing Jesus Christ and his disciples as their movement was gradually siphoning off the power and vitality of the ancient pagan gods during his task Mission Maximus is tricked into murdering his own son cursed to live forever cave script included Maximus fighting amongst the Crusades WW2 and the Vietnam war with the ending revealing that in the modern-day time period the character now works at the Pentagon the script was ultimately rejected and scrapped 17 one to9 After experiencing financial difficulties in the 2000s DreamWorks Pictures including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre- twin and Six liveaction film library was sold to Paramount Pictures in 26 and development on the sequel was halted 20 in March 2017 Scott revealed that the difficulties of reintroducing Maximus when the character is deceased had been resolved the filmmaker expressed enthusiasm for the future of of the project while discussions with Russell Crow to reprise his role were ongoing 21 in November 2018 it was announced that Paramount was green lighting the development of a sequel Scott was in early negotiations to once again serve as director with a script written by Peter Craig Scott will additionally serve as producer alongside Doug Wick Lucy fiser Walter parks and Lori McDonald the project will be a joint venture production between Paramount scott-free Productions Red Wagon entertainment and parus MacDonald image Nation 22 by June 2019 producers stated we wouldn't touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate in their interview they also revealed that the current script takes place 253 years after the first film 23 the plot will center around Lucius 24 in April 2021 Chris Hemsworth appr roached Crow with a proposal to become involved with the project with the intention to co-produce the film while working together on the Marvel Cinematic Universe maku film Thor love and thunder 2022 the two actors shared additional ideas for the film 25 by September 2021 Scott stated that the script was once again being worked on with his intention being to direct the sequel upon the completion of production on his current project Napoleon 2023 26 in November it was revealed that David Scarpa who worked with Scott on Napoleon was rewriting the script 27 scarpo was hired by Scott because of their friendship but struggled with him to find a good script for the film story since 2019 leading Scott to wait 10 months until Scarpa came up with the idea of using Lucius as the protagonist 28 originally greenlet with a production budget of $165 million the cost of the film ballooned to a recorded $310 Million by the time filming wrapped though Paramount insisted the net cost did not exceed $250 million two additionally Ridley Scott's desire to have a rhino battle in the original film which went unrealized due to cost was included in the sequel the production received nearly EUR 47 million in film incentive rebates from Malta setting a record the largest rebate issue for a film production in the European Union in January 2023 Paul mcll was cast in the film as the adult Lucius originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark while it was also reported that Arthur Max and janty Yates the production designer and costume designer of the original film respectively would also be returning to work on the sequel 34 Scott was unaware of mescal's Fame until he watched his performance in the BBC three Hulu Miner's normal people shortly after the story for Gladiator Roman 2 was finalized and Scott ultimately cast mcll in the lead role after a brief Zoom call 284 Austin Butler Richard Madden and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role 35 Mescal was chosen after Darius cersek and Michael Ireland had seen his performance in the West End Revival of a street car Named Desire claiming that the ladies in the audience had been very vocal when he had taken his shirt off 36 in March Barry Kagen entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor kacala while Denzel Washington joined the cast 3738 regarding Scott and his brother Tony as great filmmakers who never miss Washington accepted the role out of interest to work with the inspirational Scott brother again after their previous collaboration in American Gangster 2007 eight additional John mat was set to return as cinematographer for the film 39 in April 2023 it was announced that Connie neelen and Jim and hansu would reprise their roles as Lucilla and Juber respectively while Joseph Quinn was added to the cast as Emperor geta 4041 in May 2023 Pedro Pascal May calamari leor Razz Derek jacobe Peter Mena and Matt Lucas joined the cast of the film with Fred h iner entering negotiations to play kacala after Kagen had to drop out over scheduling conflicts Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gras from the first film 4021 hinger would be confirmed the following month 43 in December hu announced that despite initially being involved he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts production was expected to begin in May 2023 with w aate Morocco set as a filming location 45 set construction began in the city in April 46 filming began in June 2023 with additional filming locations planned for Malta which stood in for ancient Rome and the United Kingdom over the following 4 months 4748 an accident involving fire during filming on June 7th injured six crew members 43 filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 Hollywood labor dispute 49 filming resumed on December 4th in Malta 50 and wrapped on January 17th 2024 51 filming also took place on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke Sussex in June 2024 Gladiator Roman 2 is scheduled to be released internationally including the United Kingdom on November 15th 20124 and later in the United States and Canada on November 22nd by Paramount pictures Universal Pictures declined to co-finance the sequel or distributed overseas as it had the first film leaving only Paramount as the worldwide distributor 5657 in Australia and New Zealand Gladiator Roman 2 will be released earlier on November 14th 58 it was previously scheduled for a global release on November 22nd 59 on July 1st 2024 it was announced that the fil fil's release date would be shared with the first film of the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked from Universal whose date was moved from November 27th to avoid competition with Mona 2 this sparked speculation whether pitting the two films together could result in a scenario similar to the barbin Heimer phenomenon resulting from the films Barbie and Oppenheimer being released together on July 21st 2023 60 on July 10th 2024 Mescal dubbed the pair up as glicked and voiced his support for the two films as a double feature saying it would be amazing cuz I think the films couldn't be more Polar Opposites and it worked in that context previously so fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend 61 much like the original film Gladiator Roman 2 was given up R rating by the motion Picture Association due to strong bloody violence footage of the film FM screened at the cinem in 2024 in Las Vegas included scenes of Quinn as carala dressed in a white toga and Laurel Leaf Crown dramatically plunging his thumb downward to note the fate of defeated Gladiators with neelen in the background 48 in June of that year Scott showcased an extended clip of the film featuring Denzel Washington Paul mcll Pedro Pascal Connie neelen and Joseph Quinn 63 a poster for the film was released on July 8 2024 with a trailer released the following day 64 the trailer will also reportedly be attached to the Marvel Cinematic Universe maku film Deadpool and Wolverine 2024 slated for release on July 26th 20124 65 Jennifer owlet of RS Technica said the trailer indicated the film promises to be just as much of a visual Feast as a new crop of Power Players plus a couple of familiar faces Clash over for the future of Rome 66 rather than using an orchestral score the first trailer used No Church in the Wild by Jay-Z and Cone West which caused a backlash among film fans some attempts to justify this choice of Music cited the trailer for the first Gladiator which had used BT daa by Kid Rock 67 on the first day of the 2024 NFL season Paramount Pictures and Pepsi announced a campaign cross promoting the film with the soft drinks sponsorship of the National Football League a series of advertisements will feature football stars Josh Allen Derk Henry Justin Jefferson and Travis Kel as grid iron Gladiators with Megan the stallion appearing as empress Megan few films can match the massive financial and critical success of Ridley Scott's period piece epic Gladiator just when you thought films about Warriors in ancient Rome reached their Peak with movies like her and Spartacus in came Ridley Scott with a modern action spectacle that set a new bar for production design and film making and featured revolutionary special effects if the technical aspects weren't already enough for the movie to make its mark on film history Gladiator also came complete with a powerful and engaging plot as many probably know Gladiator tells the historically fictitious story of Maximus Russell Crow a Roman general who becomes the victim of a coupe by Caesar Marcus aurelius's own son kadus Jin Phoenix Maximus is stripped of his Rank and sentenced to be a slave in the fighting pits of Rome's gladiatorial industry all while kadus orders the execution of maximus's wife and child fueled by Vengeance over the slaying of his family Maximus uses his combat training and Military expertise to quickly rise through the ranks of Rome's fiercest Gladiators eventually becoming a symbol of Hope for Rome's persecuted citizens before coming face Toof face with Emperor kadus the result of the film's impressive sense of scale film making prowess and thrilling plot led to the film receiving nominations for 12 total Academy Awards ultimately taking home five including the coveted best picture prize since then Gladiator is remembered as an acclaimed classic in the eyes of both critics and audiences with The film's Final Duel resulting in the death of Maximus it seemed that the story of gladiator was completely over and done with as we've now learned Ridley Scott still has plans for the story of gladiator to continue Whispers And plans for a second Gladiator film have been circulating ever since the success of the original film with Russell Crow himself stating that conversations about a follow-up never truly ceased allegedly past ideas have included Gladiator Roman 2 taking a page out of the Bible and resurrecting Max ma Imus as well as an idea for things to take an even more Supernatural approach with Maximus engaging in gladiatorial combat against mythological foes in the Roman afterlife as the long awaited continuation is finally entering production only time will tell if Gladiator Roman 2 will stay true to its grounded roots or introduce more Fantastical elements get ready to be entertained by another trip to ancient Rome as Gladiator Roman 2 officially arrives in theaters on Friday November 22nd 2024 opening the same day as Gladiator Roman 2 will be John M choose long awaited feature film adaptation of wicked starring Ariana grand and Cynthia Aro could this be another barbin Heimer situation we'll just have to wait and see the first Gladiator film grossed a whopping total of $53 million us at the international box office exactly quintupling its budget of $13 million us with numbers like that it seems extremely unlikely that gladiator Roman 2 would even think of forging a theatrical release not to mention a spectacle like gladiatorial combat is surely something that patient fans would want to see on the big screen rather than on their computer that being said we wouldn't rule out a streaming release and given that the Gladiator intellectual property is owned by Paramount Pictures it seems a release on Paramount plus would be fairly likely Paul mescal's character Lucius was a key supporting character in The Original Movies storyline played in the first film by Spencer Treat Clark in the first Gladiator Lucius is a young boy who is the nephew of the villainous kadus and the son of kad's sister Lucilla Connie neelen despite only meeting him a handful of times Lucius quickly grew an admiration for Maximus as he became a hero in the eyes of the many Spectators in the Coliseum from that point on Lucius decided he didn't want to be the next in line for the Roman throne but instead wanted to be a symbolically heroic Gladiator like Maximus when he witnessed Maximus and kodus seeing his Brave sacrifice in the face of a manical ruler must have truly affected him arguably the biggest star returning for Gladiator Roman 2 is the man in the director's chair Ridley Scott Scott is a prolific filmmaker who requires no introduction with examples of his acclaimed directorial work including alien Blade Runner Thelma and Louise Blackhawk Down the Marian and many more pening the screenplay for Gladiator Roman 2 is David Scarpa who previously collaborated with Scott as the writer for all the money in the world as well as Napoleon other major crew members include other frequent collaborators of Scots such as individuals who worked on the original Gladiator like Academy Award nominated phographer John mat Academy Award nominated production designer Arthur Max and Academy award-winning costume designer janty hates Paramount Pictures is preparing to send audiences into the Coliseum with gladiator Roman 2 the long awaited sequel to Ridley Scotts Academy award-winning action flick Gladiator ahead of the film springing to life this November Empire magazine has released two new images of the project which show off new looks at two of gladiator eii alist Stars Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal while also giving some more details about the filming process the first image shows off Mescal as lucious as he is forced to fight in the chaotic deadly environment of the Coliseum in Rome taken prisoner Lucius must fight to survive against some of the harshest conditions of the Roman Empire and its ruthless Emperors get a Joseph Quinn and caracola Fred hinger the other image shows off ccal in full armored action as Marcus acacius a brutal Roman general who was once under the tutelage of the protagonist of the first film Russell crows Maximus Marcus acaas is shown in the midst of a full-throated battle Scott Fresh Off directing Gladiator Roman 2 described the film as the best thing I've ever made though he has made a few good ons the legendary director set of gladiator Roman 2 it's full boore brutal action which is seemingly evidenced by the pictures mcll also spoke about the physical elements of playing a gladiator telling Empire I had always had a kind of latent ambition to do something that was more muscular and physical mcll added we made an attempt to not feel slck you're feeling like their bodies are slowing down as they're fighting it's not like Ting Ting Ting it's more brutal you're feeling the fatigue beyond the aforementioned Stars Gladiator Roman 2 has a large Ensemble of well-known faces working to bring ancient Rome to life this includes Denzel Washington as macrinus a former slave who Now controls his own unit of imprisoned Gladiators other cast members include mealami Alexander Kum and Rory mccan additionally Derek jacobe and Connie neelen reprise their roles as Lucilla and Senator brochas respectively from the first film Scott also known for his iconic films such as alien Thelma and Louise Blackhawk Down And Blade Runner directed Gladiator Roman 2 from a script by David Scarpa Scott is also producing the film alongside Michael pruss for their scott-free Productions Banner while Doug Wick and Lucy fiser produce for Red Wagon entertainment executive producers include Walter parks and Lori McDonald among the highly anticipated movies this year is Paul mescal's gladi Ator too the movie is a sequel to Ridley Scott's Gladiator and takes fans back to the Roman Empire to be entertained the feature has been long in making as Scott searched for the right story and talent and given the initial trailer of the feature he has found the right mix the historical drama will be a mix of riveting story and high octane action sequences a new feature at takes us behind the scenes with actor Denzel Washington to showcase the Grandeur of the set I think this is the biggest film I've been on Washington says as the clips show us the making of the sets they built the Coliseum it's a ride it's a spectacle he adds the first trailer showcased many interesting fights that are in store for the fans that also includes a rhino fight among other things as the Director wanted for his original feature starring Russell Crow elaborating on the practicality of the sets Washington added with a smile everywhere you turn you feel like you're in that world and I love that Gladiator 2 has an ensemble cast that includes some old faces and many new ones Washington plays a former slave maconis who has risen to be a power broker in Rome Scott previously teased that his character would symbolize the life that was forbidden to Maximus crow in the original film there were businesses of Gladiators who could indeed earn their freedom if they stayed alive that was the deal so we went right into that in depth where did he come from how was he taken he was branded with marks and registered with a brand on his chest as a slave so that's how he comes into the story he's a rich guy who's still carrying a grudge the upcoming feature will pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the original set two decades after the events of the original film it follows Mescal as Lucius the son of Lucilla who was around 12 years old when we last saw him now he has become a gladiator and is hellbent on avenging the ones he's lost how macaronis fits into the story remains to be seen the movie also cast Pedro Pascal Derek jacobe Jim and hansu Fred hinger and Connie neelen among others Gladiator is one of the rare ostensibly original films of the 21st century that managed to become both a massive critical success and a commercial achievement this this level of success is rare under parameters but it's even more impressive considering that gladiator wasn't connected to a previously established franchise although there may have been doubt about whether Ridley Scott could pull off a modern sword and sandal epic a genre that had been largely dormant since the 1950s Gladiator proved to be an unmissable cinematic hit and became one of the few summer Blockbusters to win the Academy Award for best picture although it's easy to look back at the film's production with rose tinted glasses a constantly fluctuating script made filming Gladiator an experience as challenging as fighting in the Coliseum Gladiator had been in development for years at Universal before Scott eventually signed on to the project and hired John Logan to rewrite the screenplay although production had been progressing at a steady Pace in 1999 the death of Oliver Reed caused temporary shutdowns that forced Scott and his crew to rewrite the script much to the displeasure of his actors due to many changes in character motivations and expositional events both Russell Crow and joquin Phoenix improvised a lot of their Dialogue on Gladiator Crow was peing in popularity at the time Gladiator was going into production as his Stellar performance in Michael man's acclaimed biopic The Insider had earned him the first Academy Award nomination for best actor of his career perhaps it was his inflated ego that led him to assume some creative responsibilities on the set of gladiator as Crow and Scott had completely different ideas on what Maximus character Arc should look like a DreamWorks executive reported that Crow was not well behaved as he would frequently get into brawls with local villagers on set in Morocco to get into character while Scott had to reign in Crow's improvisations when he took to rewriting elements of the script he knew that he needed a significant star to ensure that gladiator would be a box office success and justify its ballooning budget Crow outright rejected many of gladiator's most iconic moments the iconic line in this life or the next I will have my Vengeance was almost absent from the film because Crow refused to say it however some of Crow's improvisations made it into the Final Cut Scott liked a moment where Crow kneeled and prayed before a major battle so much that he decided to include it figuring that it it was in line with the chivalrous way that Maximus would conduct his duty in the midst of any hectic conflict the now beloved moment where Maximus runs his hands through a field of wheat was the result of an improvisation on the part of Crow's stunt double who was performing in his place during pickup shots in Rome Crow was an established star at the time that gladiator was filming but Phoenix had much more to prove despite doing Stellar work in films like Parenthood and to die for when he was a younger actor Phoenix needed to prove that he had graduated from the child star phase and was worth taking seriously as an adult actor however the production was also challenging for a different reason as Gladiator was the first film that Phoenix filmed after the death of his brother River a child star best known for his work in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in the mosquito Coast kadus wasn't necessarily written as a very complex villain but Phoenix Drew from his own feelings of heartbreak to create a multifaceted character who truly believed that his Wicked actions were in the best interest of the Roman Empire and its future it was a performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor solidifying his place among the most Brave performers of his generation Phoenix also made observations that helped improve Gladiators historical accuracy while filming a carriage scene in which Commodus is riding with Lucilla Connie neelen Phoenix noted that there were no public bathing houses at the time meaning the entire vehicle would be laced with a horrible odor this led Scott to add shots of both kodus and Lucilla using fans made out of butchered herbs in an attempt to mask the smell while it's a minor detail that viewers may have only noticed after multiple watches it just goes to show the importance that Scott paid to Minor Details none of the films grandio action sequences would be merely as inspiring if it didn't feel like they took place in an authentic version of History the massive success of gladiator led to a Revival of the historical epic genre with subsequent sword and sandals films like 300 and Troy released in the direct aftermath while none of these imitators had the same staying power as the original Gladiator it did Inspire Scott to make several other projects set in the same genre the next two decades saw him making the medieval war film Kingdom of Heaven the darker reinterpretation of Robin Hood the biblical epic Exodus gods and Kings and the acclaimed biopic the last duel each film contained a similar amount of spectacle and Stakes as Gladiator after years of rumors and rewrites Gladiator Roman 2 is finally set to his theaters this fall and has easily become one of the year's most anticipated films while it's exciting to see how new cast members like Paul mcll Joseph Quinn Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal will fit into the dense mythology it remains to be seen if the sequel can live up to the legacy of its predecessor for over two decades Gladiator fans have lamented the loss of a cut action sequence a Coliseum battle featuring Maximus Russell Crow squaring off against a rhinoceros with a sirly disposition sadly the scene was cut from the film due to the high price tag associated with computer effects in the early 2000s however the scene exists in the form of crude storyboards and CG test footage accessible through a hidden Easter egg deep within the menus of the original DVD release the secretive nature of the Easter egg gave the cut sequence an almost Mythic reputation if you knew you knew now all these years later Ridley Scott is finally delivering on his original vision for the highly anticipated and star studded Gladiator Roman 2 there's a lot to like about Ridley Scott's Roman epic for starters Unforgettable performances by Russell Crowe and Joe Quinn Phoenix elevated the film to Oscar caliber both were nominated for Academy Awards with Crow himself bringing home the statue to boot the setting of Rome was so convincing one could almost taste the kicked up Coliseum dirt in their mouth it was a full meal of a movie which left fans satisfied that is until they navigated the menus of the first issue DVD and discovered a hidden Easter egg deep within the chapter selection screen viewers could click on a mysterious symbol which carried them to a hidden section full of secret files there one could see storyboards of a Coliseum fight pitting Maximus against a charging rhino another file even included CG test footage of the Rhino which by 2000 standards is very convincing all of a sudden fans were left wondering how the movie would have shaped with the inclusion of the scene thus the legend of the Rhino was born during Gladiators production in 1999 shot primarily in Malta just south of Sicily director Ridley Scott found himself in a pickle the shoot date for a big seconda fight sequence between Maximus and a veteran Gladiator build as Tigress was fast approaching the script called for joquin Phoenix's devilish emperor kadus to throw a wild card element into the fight a raging rhinoceros within the plot the fight was promoted as a spectacle for the masses but its true intention was to guarantee the death of Maximus despite the collateral damage there was only one problem Scott didn't have a rhino understandably this gave Scott pause a horn freight train in the middle of an already hectic film set could have been a recipe for disaster and a cause of indigestion for Universal exec so Scott pivoted to CGI where shortly two VFX houses vied for the contract tippet studios in Berkeley and PDI DreamWorks in Redwood City each submitted test animations as well as Hefty price tags which gave Scott a major case of sticker shock it was then that Scott made the crushing decision to scrap the Rhino all together coincidentally this was Scott's second time rejecting tippet Studios for a bid according to Phil tippet Scott's producers had reached out to the bfx house during the production of Blade Runner for the creation of a stop motion owl in both cases the price tag would have broken the budget in lie of a CG rhinoceros Scott called on production to find a handful of tigers for the fight scene a much easier ask than highly endangered rhinos on paper they seemed like a worthy alternative after all tigers are dangerous Apex predators that strike fear with just a growl right but when cameras began rolling during the fight the Tigers were unmotivated they chose to lounge around like house cats instead of being vicious maneaters the film needed them to be no one knows for sure why the Tigers were lacad isical that day maybe the Heat or fatigue from travel but cameras rolled nonetheless and the results were convincing enough through the help of clever editing carefully spliced in inerts of snarling Tigers helped maintain the scene's tension light CGI was also employed to make it seem as if Maximus was fending off the beasts with his shield and Gladius the final product was compelling and un budget but perhaps most importantly it adhered to the film's tone introducing something so Fantastical as a rhino during a key character moment may have thrown the feel of the movie off by a few hairs by keeping the Tigers in the background the camera could focus on the hero's Expressions as he fought one of the most formidable opponents the film offered even though real life Rhino battles were recorded in the Coliseum log books a more subtle approach to combat made the scene go a long way and created a classic confrontation in the process Paramount released the first trailer for Gladiator Roman 2 which stars Paul mcll Joseph Quinn Pedro Pascal Denzel Washington and Connie neelon and it is barn burner everything we know and love about the original film seemed to be cranked up to an 11 the fights are bigger the drama is juicier the villains are smer and lo and behold a rhinoceros is featured smack dab in the middle of the Coliseum floor and by the look of it they didn't skimp on the budget this time around with a bloody Tusk and a truly frightening charging speed this rhino is as fearsome as fans had imagined since the year 2000 one can only hope the sequence will live up to the legend it has created but its presence in the film is already buying Goodwill among fans is the inclusion of the Rhino a nod to the longtime faithful or perhaps Ridley Scott finishing what he started all those years ago either way Gladiator fans are about to get what they've always wanted and deserved Russell Crow the iconic actor who brought Maximus to life in Ridley Scott's original 20 Gladiator recently opened up about his mixed feelings towards the upcoming sequel during an interview with Kyle Meredith Crow shared his reservations and nostalgic Reflections on the legacy of the film that won him an Oscar Crow's portrayal of Maximus a man seeking Vengeance against the corrupt Emperor who murdered his family remains one of his most memorable roles the film's success catapulted him to International stardom and left an indelible mark on his career when asked about his thoughts on the sequel Crow did not hold back I'm slightly uncomfortable with the fact they're making another one because of course I'm dead and I have no say in what gets done Crow admitted he expressed concerns about the direction of the new film hinting at some aspects he found troubling a couple of the things I've heard I'm like no no no that's not in the moral journey of that particular character but I can't say anything it's not my place I'm 6 feet under so we'll see what that is like the sequel introduces Paul mcll as the new lead playing the adult version of Lucius the young nephew of kadus originally portrayed by Joe Quinn Phoenix Mescal known for his role in normal people has acknowledged the daunting task of stepping into the Gladiator Legacy I feel really excited but like it's difficult to get away from the legacy of the film a bit Mescal told Esquire I think it's really well written and it pays homage to the first one but it's very much something that I think I can step into and make comfortably my own when asked about any discussions with Crow regarding the original film Mescal responded I don't know what we would talk about like I'd love to hear his stories from filming but the character is like totally separate Gladiator 2 has been in various stages of development for 20 years and it's finally arriving in 2024 although it's going to be very different from the original 2000 movie despite the ups and downs and numerous changing story Concepts the Gladiator sequel news revealed so far has confirmed its in production the original Gladiator was beloved by fans and critics alike gaining 12 Oscar nominations and taking home big prizes in best picture and the best actor category for Star Russell Crow Ridley Scott will once again be at the helm for Gladiator 2 and plans for the sequel have been in the works since the first film's huge success and have gone through different scripts and creative teams at one early stage Nick Cave was attached as a screenwriter with a script that would see Crow's Maximus returning in a reincarnated form to go on a Fantastical ROM through historical eras thankfully the plans have changed and the latest Gladiator 2 plot will follow a much better story written by David Scarpa and picked up by Paramount with the anticipated sequels release date looming nearer the latest news comes in the form of the first trailer for Gladiator 2 The Epic 3 minute long trailer explains the backstory of Paul mescal's Lucius as he grew from a young boy to a vengeful man with nothing but revenge on his mind Denzel Washington's Shady dealer macrinus is more than willing to utilize lucious's quest for blood to further his own gains including bringing down the entire Roman Empire as the trailer reveals Gladiator 2 is already shaping up to top its predecessor in terms of action and visual spectacle the Gladiator two cast is quickly expanding with many notable actors attached the Gladiator sequel will see Academy Award nominated actor Paul Mescal afteron take on the lead role of Lucius in Gladiator Lucius was the son of Roman Empress Lucilla and Lucius Varys nephew to the villainous Roman emperor kadus in the original film he was played by Spencer Treat Clark but Mescal will be taking over the role Fred hinger is playing emperor carala in Gladiator 2 whom Barry Kagen was originally rumored to be playing Emperor kacala was a real Roman figure who ruled from 198 to 2011 based on caracalla's history it's unknown if he could be the villain to succeed kadas however Gladiator 2 could seek to change historical events for its narrative benefit the Gladiator 2 story will take place over 20 years after the events of the original film and follow a now grown Lucius as he takes on Maximus Legacy Lucius was the son of Lucilla neelen and he had a front row seat to Maximus story in Gladiator however rather than ascending as Caesar which was his Birthright he was moved by Maximus sacrifice and bravery and swore to carry on his Legacy Gladiator 2 will see Lucius now a grown man fighting in the ring and willing to do anything to get his revenge against the Roman Empire Paramount Pictures has released a three-minute trailer in anticipation of gladiator 2's impending release State and it is a spectacle in its own right the lengthy teaser introduces Paul mescal's Lucius as the son of the slain Maximus Russell Crow from gladiator who has dedicated his life to getting revenge enter Denzel Washington's macus a shady character who also dreams of bringing down Rome and is willing to harness lucious blood rage to achieve his goals though all was not revealed the trailer succeeds at imparting the sheer scope of the long awaited historical epic Denzel Washington responds to the Gladiator 2 accent criticism directed once again by Ridley Scott serving as a sequel to his best picture winning film from 2000 Gladiator two follows an adult Lucius Paul Mescal the former heir to the Roman Empire who is forced into Life as a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Marcus acaas Pedro Pascal during the rule of co-emperor caracola Fred hinger and get a Joseph Quinn Gladiator 2's cast and characters also include Washington as macaronis a power broker who keeps a stable of Gladiators the character of macrinus is from North Africa but when the Gladiator 2 trailer dropped earlier this summer many people pointed out on social media that Washington was simply using his own accent North Africa was a key location in the original Gladiator as Russell Crow's character Maximus is sold into slavery there and fights his way through the local tournament the sequel follows a similar story with lucious living in numidia a province on the North African Coast which is invaded by Pascal's General General Marcus acacius forcing Lucius into slavery since macrinus isn't from Rome his accent would naturally differ from the Roman characters though it's uncertain what a non-roman accent would have even sounded like during the time that Gladiator 2 is set there was also the added risk of unintentionally imitating a bad African accent which would have technically been more historically or geographically accurate but could also have come off as inauthentic or even offensive in turn to avoid these various pitfalls Washington simply stuck with his own accent over his career Washington has taken on roles that required the use of accents though he is much more acclaimed as an actor for his commanding presence than his dialect work in 1987's Cry Freedom Washington played activist Steve boo using a South African accent that was generally well received though some noted it was not Flawless while Washington's accents have been competent over his career his performances are generally celebrated for their gravitas which should still be the case in Gladiator 2 Ridley Scott explains why he did not consult with Russell Crow for Gladiator Roman 2 Crow played the starring role of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original gladiator who famously died after defeating kadus and restoring Rome as Marcus aelius intended Gladiator y's story will see Lucius ver Paul mcll as the protagonist this time following Maximus footsteps as he becomes a gladiator and tries to save Rome from its corrupt leaders while speaking with Empire magazine Scott shared his candid reason for why he did not feel the need to consult with Crow on Gladiator Roman 2 he expressed gratitude for having worked with Crow along with sharing admiration for the actor's exemplary career Scott also touched on the challenge and solution of determining the best story to tell when developing the long awaited sequel to the original Gladiator film despite Crow being integral to the first film success a sequel with him would not have worked given Maximus fate any way of bringing Maximus back would cheapen the impact of the character's sacrifice and the culmination of his satisfying Arc in Gladiator there were earlier iterations of a sequel that involved Maximus waking in the Underworld and encountering mythological beings before being resurrected which could have allowed Crow to remain at the Forefront of the franchise this would not have worked though as it would undermine gladiator's perfect ending and be a jarring switch to a mythological story as Scott indicated the simplest and most obvious way to continue the story was to instead focus on Lucius and What Becomes of him in Rome after the events of gladiator this ensures that Maximus Legacy and his impact on Lucius can be an important part of the the sequel without retroactively damaging the original film Lucilla Connie neelen and Senator graas Derek Jacobi returning from the previous film will also help Gladiator Roman 2 feel like a proper sequel unlike Maximus their characters survived and can still influence the story of Lucius along with Rome's ongoing political transformation Gladiator Roman 2 will feel different without Crow and might struggle to live up to the heights of its predecessor but there was no viable sequel with the actor and therefore no need for Scott to consult him Gladiator 2's age rating has arrived and it continues a Ridley Scott trend from the original film Scott returns to the director's chair for the anticipated upcoming sequel to 2000's Gladiator the Gladiator two story takes place roughly 20 years after the end of the first film following Lucius Paul mcll as he becomes a hero of the gladiatorial Arena trailers have thus far teased that the film will feature many returning elements from the acclaimed original filmratings.com now reveals that Gladiator 2 will be rated R just like its predecessor the film earned the rating for strong bloody violence which is slightly different from the intense graphic combat that earned the original and R while the specifics of the rating may be different audiences are clearly in for a violent Ride reviews from for the original Gladiator are generally very positive and the film is widely regarded as one of Scott's best Crow's strong performance a great score from Hans Zimmer and the moving Gladiator ending are all reasons why the film is so well regarded but bloody hard-hitting action is undoubtedly another key ingredient in the film's opening 10 minutes viewers witness Maximus leading a Roman army against a barbarian horde and the resulting Clash is a graph one the action itself is a core part of why Gladiator works so well and the graphic nature of the violence helps to reinforce the stakes the opening battle demonstrates Maximus prowess as a warrior and the subsequent Gladiator fights are bloody and many characters don't make it out alive the R-rated killing on screen helps to transport viewers into the terror of the gladiatorial arena and reinforces that though this may be a form of entertainment for those in the stands it's life or death for those doing the fighting if Gladiator 2 had instead opted for a PG-13 rating which would have in theory allowed more viewers to go check it out in theaters those who enjoyed the first film likely would have felt disappointed Not only would this have felt like a cynical business-driven decision it may also have taken power away from lucious own journey and the dangers of his experiences in the Coliseum thankfully however it looked Looks Like Gladiator 2 will be just as violent as the original Ridley Scott asserts that gladiator Roman 2 is one of the best films he has ever directed Scott has an impressive filmography featuring many acclaimed films that have defined the science fiction and action genres including alien Blade Runner Gladiator and the Martian Gladiator E's story picks up more than 20 years after the original film with young Lucius Varys Paul Mescal now a man following in the footsteps of Maximus Decimus Meridius Russell Crow as he becomes a gladiator and challenges the leaders of ancient Rome while speaking with Empire Scott now puts Gladiator Roman 2 among his best films declaring that it's the best thing I've ever made or at least one of the best things I've made a few good ons Scott also promises that it's full bore brutal action that will be just as impressive if not more so than the original Gladiator the project has been in the making for more than two decades going through many phases of development and delays before ultimately coming to fruition Gladiator Roman 2 has already been built with enormous enthusiasm and high expectations and even more so now that Scott considers it on par with the best films he has ever made the sequels trailer does match the brutal violence and spectacle that Scott has teased with Lucius having to navigate a waterfill Col Coliseum a rhinoceros and other threats in the Gladiator Arena that even Maximus did not have to contend with during his heroing journey General Marcus acaas Pedro Pascal will also fight Lucius in the Coliseum and is clearly a formidable opponent while the action spectacle cinematography and star studded cast all of promising it remains to be seen if the story itself can rival Gladiator or Scott's other beloved films despite gladi theor Roman two characters Lucilla Connie neelen and Senator Gras Derek jacobe returning from the first film the sequel almost seems more like a soft reboot than a direct sequel Lucius is a clear replacement for Maximus with his motivations and Arc appearing to be nearly identical the same goes for macaronis Denzel Washington replacing Antonius proximo Oliver Reed while acacius Emperor geta Joseph Quinn and Emperor carala Fred hinger take over over from Commodus Jin Phoenix a soft reboot could work well but it seems unlikely to be as compelling as its predecessor or Scott's other best films nevertheless Scott is clearly proud of gladiator Roman 2 and it still has the potential to become one of his greatest works 12 the following year a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter the plot set 15 years later included the ptor guards ruling Rome and an older aged Lucius searching for the truth about his biological father frenzon signed on as producer alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parks 13 in December 2002 the film's plot was announced to include prequel events regarding the parentage of Lucius as well as sequel events depicting the resurrection of Maximus producers and Russell Crow collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the after life 14 by September 2003 Ridley Scott announced that the script was completed while confirming that the story would primarily center around the secret son of Maximus being Lucius in May 2006 Scott stated that while development on the project continued the exact story for the film had yet to be mapped out the filmmaker stated that all creative minds that were involved with gladiator were working on how to continue from where the story left off Scott stated that Crow had favored a fantasy element in bringing Maximus back to life while Scott believed a grounded historical approach was the better option while he believed the film would not be made he confirmed the plan to reveal that Lucius is the son of Maximus and Lucilla he also discussed the necessity of a more complex script with the corruption of Rome in the potential sequel 16 during this time Nick Cave was commissioned to write a new draft of the script it was later revealed to be written under the working title of Christ killer cave described the plot as a deities versus deity versus Humanity Story the premise involved maximus in purgatory who is resurrected as an immortal Eternal Warrior for the Roman gods in the draft Maximus is sent to Earth and tasked with stopping the momentum of Christianity by Killing Jesus Christ and his disciples as their movement was gradually siphoning off the power and vitality of the ancient pagan gods during his task Mission Maximus is tripped into murdering his own son cursed to live forever Cav script included Maximus fighting amongst the Crusades WW2 and the Vietnam war with the ending revealing that in the modern day time period the character now works at the Pentagon the script was ultimately rejected and scrapped 171 D9 After experiencing Financial difficulties in the 2000s DreamWorks Pictures including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre-2 and6 liveaction film library was sold to Paramount Pictures in 26 and development on the sequel was halted 20 in March 2017 Scott revealed that the difficulties of reintroducing Maximus when the character is deceased had been resolved the filmmaker expressed enthusiasm for the future of the project while discussions with Russell Crow to reprise his role were ongoing 21 in November 2018 it was announced that Paramount was green lighting the development of a sequel Scott was in early negotiations to once again serve as director with a script written by Peter Craig Scott will additionally serve as producer alongside Doug Wick Lucy fiser Walter parks and Lori McDonald the project will be a joint venture production between Paramount scott-free Productions Red Wagon entertainment and parkus MacDonald image Nation 22 by June 2019 producers stated we wouldn't touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate in their interview they also revealed that the current script takes place 2530 years after the first film 23 the plot will center around Lucian 24 in April 2021 Chris hensworth approached Crow with a proposal to become involved with the project with the intention to co-produce the film while working together on the Marvel Cinematic Universe muu film Thor love and thunder 2022 the two actors shared additional ideas for the film 25 by September 2021 Scott stated that the script was once again being worked on with his intention being to direct the sequel upon the completion of production on his current project Napoleon 2023 26 in November it was revealed that David scar who worked with Scott on Napoleon was rewriting the script 27 Scarpa was hired by Scott because of their friendship but struggled with him to find a good script for the film story since 2019 leading Scott to wait 10 months until Scarpa came up with the idea of using Lucius as the protagonist 28 originally greenlet with a production budget of $165 million the cost of the film ballooned to a reported3 0 Million by the time filming wrapped though Paramount insisted the net cost did not exceed $250 million two additionally Ridley Scott's desire to have a rhino battle in the original film which went unrealized due to cost was included in the sequel the production received nearly Euro 47 million in film incentive rebates from Malta setting a record the largest rebate issued for a film production in the European Union in January 2023 Paul mcll was cast in the film as the adult Lucius originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark while it was also reported that Arthur Max and janty Yates the production designer and costume designer of the original film respectively would also be returning to work on the sequel 34 Scott was unaware of mescal's Fame until he watched his performance in the BBC three Hulu miniseries normal people shortly after the story for Gladiator Roman 2 was finalized and Scott ultimately cast mcll in the lead role after a brief Zoom call 284 Austin Butler Richard Madden and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role 35 mcll was chosen after Darius cersek and Michael Ireland had seen his performance in the West End Revival of the street car Named Desire claiming that the ladies in the audience had been very vocal when he had taken his shirt off 30 in March Barry Kagen entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor kacala while Denzel Washington joined the cast 3738 regarding Scott and his brother Tony as great filmmakers who never miss Washington accepted the role out of interest to work with the inspirational Scott brother again after their previous collaboration in American Gangster 2007 8 additionally John mat was set to return as cinematographer for the film 39 in April 2023 it was announced that Connie neelen and Jim and hansu would reprise their roles as Lucilla and Juber respectively while Joseph Quinn was added to the cast as Emperor geta 4041 in May 2023 Pedro Pascal May calamari leor Raz Derek jacobe Peter Mena and Matt Lucas join the cast of the film with Fred hinger entering negotiations to play kacala after kiaga had to drop out over scheduling conflicts jacobe reprises his role as Senator Gras from the first film 421 hinger would be confirmed the following month 43 in December hu announced that despite initially being involved he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts production was expected to begin in May 2023 with W aate Morocco set as a filming location 45 5 set construction began in the city in April 46 filming began in June 2023 with additional filming locations plan for Malta which stood in for ancient Rome and the United Kingdom over the following 4 month 4748 an accident involving fire during filming on June 7th injured six crew members 43 filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 Hollywood labor dispute 49 filming resumed on on December 4th in Malta 50 and wrapped on January 17th 2024 51 filming also took place on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke Sussex in June 2024 Gladiator Roman 2 is scheduled to be released internationally including the United Kingdom on November 15th 2024 and later in the United States and Canada on November 22nd by Paramount Pictures Universal Pictures decline to co-finance the sequel or distributed overseas as it had the first film leaving only Paramount as the worldwide distributor 5657 in Australia and New Zealand Gladiator Roman 2 will be released earlier on November 14th 58 it was previously scheduled for a global release on November 22nd 59 on July 1st 2024 it was announced that the film's release date would be shared with the first film of the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked from Universal whose date was moved from November 27th to avoid competition with Mona 2