A brand new trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming film “Gladiator 2” has been released ahead of its release this coming November.
The film, as with the original, is helmed by Ridley Scott, who wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborator David Scarpa.
The Sequel To A Modern Classic
Scott’s original “Gladiator” was an enormous success in 2000. It became the second highest grossing film of that year and is still the only of Scott’s films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, along with a win for Best Actor for its lead Russel Crowe.
Discussions about a sequel have been had since almost immediately after its release, with some very imaginative scripts being written and rejected. Musician Nick Cave famously penned one which found Crowe’s Maximus traveling through time to fight other historical warriors.
Paul Mescal Fills Russel Crowe’s Shoes
As the trailer makes clear, this sequel is set firmly in the time of ancient Rome, 20 years after the original film to be exact. Current Hollywood it-boy Paul Mescal has taken on the lead role of the vengeance seeking Lucius Verus, originally played as child by Spencer Treat Clark in the original film.
Mescal has been on something of a meteoric rise since he broke out in the British television series “Normal People” in 2020. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in 2022’s “Aftersun,” but “Gladiator 2” is far and away his most notable role to date.
Pedro Pascal Continues His Run Of High Profile Roles
Fan favorite actor Pedro Pascal stars in “Gladiator 2” as Marcus Acacius, a general and one of the central antagonists of the film.
Pascal broke out in his role as Oberyn Martell in “Game Of Thrones” and since then has stayed in the spotlight in such popular shows as “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us.” “Gladiator 2” could very well be his most high profile film role to date.
Joseph Quinn Continues A Big Year
Joseph Quinn, known best for his breakout role as Eddie Munson in “Stranger Things,” plays antagonist Emperor Greta in “Gladiator 2.” Fans have already noted his visual similarity to Joaquin’s villainous role in the original film.
“Gladiator 2” marks Quinn’s second high profile film of 2024. Quinn co-starred with Lupita Nyong’o in “A Quiet Place: Day One,” a successful film that became the highest grossing film in the “Quiet Place” trilogy.
Denzel Washington Reunites With Ridley Scott
Perhaps the most seasoned actor in the cast of “Gladiator 2,” Academy Award winner Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a powerful man who promises to use Mescal’s Lucius as “his instrument” in the film’s trailer.
Washington has worked with Ridley Scott once before, in the lead of his 2007 film “American Gangster.” This reunion promises to be one of the most exciting aspects of the upcoming film.
Ridley Scott Can’t Stop
Even at age 86 director Ridley Scott has shown no signs of slowing down his filmic output the way that some of his contemporaries have.
From his early legacy defining films such as “Blade Runner” and “Alien” to recent hits such as “The Martian” and “House Of Gucci,” Scott has been a vital voice in film for nearly 50 years and “Gladiator 2” shows he is nowhere close to slowing down.
“Gladiator 2” Tells A Fictional Story With Historical Elements
One of the most eye popping moments in the “Gladiator 2” trailer is the sight of the Roman Colosseum being filled with water and a naval battle being staged within it.
As hard to believe as this might be, this was a practice that the ancient Romans would actually enact. It boggles the mind to consider that people as long ago as 168 BC would be capable of making what is essentially a gigantic swimming pool, but so they did, and it looks to be one of the most exciting elements of “Gladiator 2”
On Set Incident Leaves Several Crew Members Injured
In an incident reflective of the real danger gladiators faced in ancient Rome, several crew members on the set of “Gladiator 2” were treated for non-life threatening injuries after an unspecified on set incident.
Six crew members were treated for burns after an incident which occurred at the end of the shooting day. Four of the six were sent to the hospital for their injuries, and no cast members were harmed.
A New ‘Barbenheimer’?
Speculation has already begun that we could see another “Barbie”/ “Oppenheimer” style event when “Gladiator 2” is released on the same day as the musical adaptation “Wicked: Part 1.”
Paul Mescal was even asked about this possibility and excitedly offered up “Glicked” as his preferred combination of the titles. We will have to wait and see if the wild success of “Barbenheimer” can be repeated again.
Watch the “Gladiator 2” trailer here.
