Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott Calls Sequel “One of the Best” Movies He’s Ever Made

Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott Calls Sequel "One of the Best" Movies He's Ever Made

As a cinephile with decades of film-viewing under my belt, I can confidently say that I am beyond excited for the upcoming release of Gladiator 2. Ridley Scott is one of those directors whose work never fails to captivate me, from his groundbreaking sci-fi classics like Alien and Blade Runner, to the unforgettable female-driven drama of Thelma & Louise. And let’s not forget the epic historical drama that is the original Gladiator, a film that still stands out as one of my all-time favorites.


The highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 hit, “Gladiator,” is expected to be one of this year’s biggest box-office sensations. Its first trailer promises pulse-pounding action and glimpses of its stellar cast. This upcoming installment, following the storyline of “Gladiator,” is the latest production from acclaimed director Ridley Scott, whose diverse career spans iconic films such as “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” and “Thelma & Louise.” In a recent chat with Empire, Scott expressed his enthusiasm for “Gladiator 2,” suggesting that it could stand out as one of his best works to date.

“Scott strongly believed that this was the finest creation among all his works, even though he’s produced other exceptional films as well.”

What Is Gladiator 2 About?

In the hypothetical “Gladiator 2”, we find Lucius, a descendant of the late Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (grandson through his daughter Lucilla), residing peacefully with his family in Numidia. A militia led by General Marcus Acacius launches an invasion, resulting in Lucius’ enslavement. Driven by the tale of Maximus, Lucius decides to fight as a gladiator and challenges the reign of the young emperors Caracalla and Geta. The upcoming “Gladiator 2” is expected to feature Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, May Calamawy, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas. The film will be directed by Ridley Scott from a script penned by David Scarpa. Despite repeated statements, Russell Crowe, who played Maximus in the original “Gladiator”, has expressed that he is not participating in this sequel.

In Scott’s own words from 2021, he shared his affinity for period films, appreciating the thorough research and intricate details such as recreating the authentic smells of the era. He admitted that prior Hollywood Roman epics didn’t quite resonate with him, finding them overly artificial. However, when presented with a script for what would become “Gladiator,” his interest was piqued by an illustration titled “For Those About to Die” by G?r?me. The image depicted the Coliseum and a man moments before executing another, with a unique and chilling intensity that he felt had never been portrayed authentically before. Impressed, Scott agreed to take on the project, trusting in its potential without even reading the full script initially. Instead, he dove right into developing the fresh concept alongside his team.

Gladiator 2 will be released exclusively in theaters on November 22nd.

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2024-08-23 03:10