The action-packed spectacle gets a second installment after the first movie from over 20 years ago: Gladiator 2 is going to hit theatres and we've got everything you need to know, including the release date, cast and even more.
The original Gladiator from 2000 is getting a sequel: Gladiator 2. Over 20 years after the huge box-office success, Ridley Scott is directing the second installment. Here's everything there is to know about the sequel.
The first movie tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russel Crowe), a loyal Roman general turned gladiator after being betrayed. He is seeking revenge against the cruel new emperor Commodus. The movie is considered one of the best of the 2000s, if not all time. So let's dive into everything we know about the sequel!
Gladiator 2 │Release Date
Gladiator 2 is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2024.
However, production faced some difficulties that are all too familiar at this point – and then some. Even though filming has already started in June 2023, it was soon suspended in July because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Also for that reason, there's no trailer yet.
According to Deadline, they resumed filming in late November/early December 2023. A release in November 2024 is still manageable, at least.
Ridley Scott says 'GLADIATOR 2' resumes filming in 2 weeks.He then plans to shoot a new film in March with "2 stars ready to join him in a bucket list project."(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/cUa0ZqIXIU
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 14, 2023
But not only the strike has made filming hard, there was also an accident that injured six crew members in early production according to Deadline. It's safe to say Gladiator 2 had to deal with a pretty rough start, so it remains to be seen if the release date needs to be postponed. Fingers crossed there won't be any more incidents.
Gladiator 2 │Spoiler-free Plot Premise
As Maximus' story is already told, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there's going to be a new protagonist in Gladiator 2. The sequel still picks up with a familiar character to root for: Lucius, the nephew of Commodus.
Lucius is all grown up now and should make for an interesting protagonist. Let's just hope for his own sake that the psychopathic traits in the family from Commodus skipped him and his idol Maximus made a more lasting impact on him.
Gladiator 2 │Cast
Tough pill to swallow, but let's get it out of the way: Russel Crowe won't be in Gladiator 2 for obvious reasons. Don't be sad, though: there's a great ensemble that should make up for the iconic original Gladiator Crowe.
There are still a few familiar faces to look forward to.
Paul Mescal will play the adult Lucius while Connie Dielsen reprises her role as his mother Lucilla. Derek Jacobi and Djimon Hounsou also rejoin the cast as Senator Gracchus and Juba, respectively.
The new ensemble is joined by none other than Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger.
That should make up for the Russel Crowe shaped hole, shouldn't it? Be sure to mark your calendars on November 22, 2024 for Gladiator 2!