Gladiator II is the highly anticipated sequel to the legendary 2000 film, directed once again by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, The Martian). Here is the release date, story, cast, and everything else to know.
Gladiator II Release Date
Gladiator II is set to release on November 22, 2024, more than two decades after the original historical epic, which won Best Picture and helped cement the legacy of lead actor Russell Crowe. The film returns to the ancient Roman world. Although it does not continue the tale of Maximus due to the events that take place in the first film, it connects to that movie.
Instead of Maximus, Gladiator II focuses on Lucius Verus II, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson) and Lucius Verus (the co-ruler of Emperor Marcus Aurelius). In the original film, Lucius was only a boy, witnessing the treachery of his uncle Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and the heroism of Maximus.
More than 20 years later, Connie Nielson will be reprising her role as Lucilla, sister of Commodus.
Gladiator II Plot
Gladiator II is the sequel to the classic 2000 film. Starring Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson), and the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). A behind-closed-doors trailer reveals that Denzel Washington’s character is using Lucius to bring down Rome in a bloody coup. While the rest of the plot details are unknown to the public, fans should expect lots of political drama, violence, and beautiful scenery.
Gladiator II Director
Ridley Scott, 86, will be returning to direct Gladiator II over 20 years after leading the production of the first film. The sequel has extraordinary expectations to fulfill, as the original earned more than 10 Academy Award nominations and won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crow as the lead character of Maximus Decimus Meridius. What’s more, Gladiator (2000) earned over $500 million in the global box office back then. When adjusted for inflation, that’s over $900 million today.
Gladiator II Cast
Paul Mescal is the lead actor, playing the role of Lucius. In an interview, he said, “I’m so proud I get to make it. It’s an intimidating feat. It’s something I’m nervous about but something I feel like I can do.”
When questioned about the physical transformation he would need to take on for the role, he said that it is not something very interesting he wants to focus on. Instead, Mescal wants his character to come across as believable as possible.
“Of course there’s a physical robustness required for the character, but past that, I’m not interested. This guy’s got to fight and got to be a beast,” Mescal said. “And whatever that looks and feels like is right for me, is what it’s going to be. Sometimes I see films and I’m like, ‘That person doesn’t look real.'”
Connie Nielson returns to reprise the role of Lucilla. Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington will be performing in unspecified roles.
See the full cast as confirmed on IMDB.
Gladiator II Trailer
As of this time, there is no official public trailer for Gladiator II. However, there was some footage that released during CinemaCon earlier in 2024 that showed off Paul Mescal fighting baboons and a rhino, in addition to some naval bombardment scenes, political intrigue, and evil emperors far more sadistic than Commodus from the first film.
Gladiator II Filming Locations
Gladiator II was filmed across several locations around the world, including Morocco. Some crew members were injured during a failed stunt sequence. Fortunately, a spokesperson for Paramount Pictures confirmed that these crew members suffered “non-life-threatening injuries”.
Russell Crowe’s Thoughts On Gladiator II
Russell Crowe, the lead actor in the original Gladiator film, earned an Oscar for his performance as Maximus. Due to plot reasons, he and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) will not return for the sequel. Of course, Crowe’s career and life are highly connected to Gladiator, such that when production started on the sequel, many people began asking him about it.
In an interview, he said, “They should be f**king paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in…It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under.”
In spite of back-to-back iconic roles with a nomination for Best Actor for The Insider (1999) and A Beautiful Mind (2001), Russell Crowe’s only Oscar comes from Gladiator. Crowe remarked that the sequel made him feel “a certain tinge of jealousy.” This is because it reminds him of his own career.
Despite all the questions, Crowe claims to know nothing about the plot or cast. Of course, he’s confident that Ridley Scott will deliver something truly special.
“I know that if Ridley has decided to do a second part of the story, over 20 years later, he must have had very strong reasons. I can’t think of this movie being anything other than spectacular.” Crowe said.
