Gladiator II
Gladiator II | |
---|---|
File:Gladiator II logo.jpg Official logo | |
Directed by | Ridley Scott |
Screenplay by | David Scarpa |
Based on | Characters by David Franzoni John Logan William Nicholson |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | John Mathieson |
Edited by |
|
Music by | Harry Gregson-Williams |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 156 minutes |
Countries |
|
Sprache | Englisch |
Budget | $250–310 million[1] |
Gladiator II is an upcoming epic historical fact action drama film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), the film was written by David Scarpa, and stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi. It was produced by Scott Free Productions for Paramount Pictures. The story follows Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by general Marcus Acacius during the reign of co-emperors Caracalla and Geta.
A sequel to Gladiator was discussed as early as June 2001, with David Franzoni and John Logan set to return as screenwriters. Over the next few years, Scott offered occasional updates, including the possible involvement of the original film's lead actor, Russell Crowe, and plot ideas around 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 Mescal was hired in the lead role in January 2023, with a script by Scarpa. The rest of the cast signed on over the next several months, and filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, with a five-month hiatus due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes (including the 2023 actors strike). Gladiator II is scheduled to be released internationally, including the United Kingdom, on November 15, 2024, and later in the United States and Canada on November 22.
Premise
Several decades after the events of Gladiator (2000), Lucius—the grandson of Rome's former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla—lives with his wife and child in Numidia. Roman soldiers led by general Marcus Acacius invade, forcing Lucius into slavery. Inspired by the story of Maximus,[a] Lucius resolves to fight as a gladiator while opposing the rule of the young emperors Caracalla and Geta.[2]
Cast
- Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Empire. According to Ridley Scott, since Lucius was last seen approximately 15 years ago, he has been living "in the wilderness" and has had no connection with his mother, who now thinks he might be dead.[3] He was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in Gladiator.
- Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a former slave who gained great wealth and influence as a merchant and sponsor of gladiators. He holds a grudge against the emperors
- Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a former Roman general forced to fight as a gladiator as punishment for his insubordination
- Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius
- Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate who opposes the growing corruption of the imperial court
- Joseph Quinn as co-emperor Caracalla. Despite comparisons with Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Commodus in the first film, Quinn did not feel he channeled Phoenix's performance, crediting Scott for wishing him to "play the chords louder and turn it up and go for the more brave or bold form" of communication. He also credited Nielsen for helping him and the rest of the cast to not be nervous about the first film's legacy.[4]
- Fred Hechinger as co-emperor Geta
- Lior Raz
- Peter Mensah
- Matt Lucas
- May Calamawy
- Tim McInnerny
- Alexander Karim
Production
Development
In June 2001, developments for a Gladiator (2000) follow-up began in the form of potential for either a prequel or a sequel, with David Franzoni in early negotiations to once again serve as screenwriter.[5] The following year, a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter. The plot, set fifteen years later, included the Praetorian Guards ruling Rome, and an older-aged Lucius searching for the truth about his biological father. Franzoni signed on as producer, alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parkes.[6] 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 Crowe collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife.[7] 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.[8]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/NASA_Journey_to_Mars_and_%E2%80%9CThe_Martian%E2%80%9D_%28201508180030HQ%29.jpg/220px-NASA_Journey_to_Mars_and_%E2%80%9CThe_Martian%E2%80%9D_%28201508180030HQ%29.jpg)
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 Crowe had favoured 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.[9] 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 vs. deity vs. 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 tricked into murdering his own son. Cursed to live forever, Cave's script included Maximus fighting amongst the Crusades, WWII, 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.[10][11][12][13]
After experiencing financial difficulties in the 2000s, DreamWorks Pictures—including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre-2006 live-action film library—was sold to Paramount Pictures in 2006 and development on the sequel was halted.[14] 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 Crowe to reprise his role were ongoing.[15] In November 2018, it was announced that Paramount was officially 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 Fisher, Walter Parkes, and Laurie MacDonald. The project will be a joint-venture production between Paramount, Scott Free Productions, and Parkes/MacDonald Productions with Universal Pictures as a co-financing partner.[16] 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 25–30 years after the first film.[17] The plot will center around Lucius.[18]
In April 2021, Chris Hemsworth approached Crowe with a proposal to become involved with the project, with the intention to co-produce the film. While working together on Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), the two actors shared additional ideas for the film.[19] 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).[20] In November, it was revealed that David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on Napoleon, was rewriting the script.[21] Scarpa was hired by Scott because of their friendship, but struggled with him to find a good script for the film's story since 2019, leading Scott to wait ten months until Scarpa came up with the idea of using Lucius as the protagonist.[22]
Originally greenlit 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).[1] The production received nearly €47 million in film incentive rebates from Malta, setting a record the largest rebate issued for a film production in the European Union.[23]
Pre-production
In January 2023, Paul Mescal was cast in the film, 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.[24] Scott was unaware of Mescal's fame until he watched him in the first four episodes of the BBC Three/Hulu miniseries Normal People, leading Scott to see the whole miniseries just as the story for Gladiator 2 came up because of Scarpa working out the script, leading him to cast Mescal due to having him in mind for something, feeling that he could be as good as Crowe.[22] Austin Butler, Richard Madden, and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role.[25] Mescal was chosen after Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland had seen his performance in the West End revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, claiming that the "ladies in the audience [had been] very vocal" when he had taken his shirt off.[26] In March, Barry Keoghan entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor Geta while Denzel Washington joined the cast.[27][28] Additionally, John Mathieson was set to return as cinematographer for the film.[29]
In April 2023, it was announced that Connie Nielsen and Djimon Hounsou would reprise their roles as Lucilla and Juba respectively, while Joseph Quinn was added to the cast as Emperor Caracalla.[30][31] In May 2023, Pedro Pascal, May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah and Matt Lucas joined the cast of the film, with Fred Hechinger entering negotiations to play Geta after Keoghan had to drop out over scheduling conflicts. Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gracchus from the first film.[32][33] Hechinger would be confirmed the following month.[34] In December, Hounsou announced that, despite initially being involved, he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts.[35]
Filming
Production was expected to begin in May 2023, with Ouarzazate, Morocco set as a filming location.[36] Set construction began in the city in April.[37] 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 four months.[38][4] An accident involving fire during filming on June 7 injured six crew members.[34] Filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.[39] Filming resumed on December 4 in Malta,[40] and wrapped on January 17, 2024.[41] Filming also took place on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke, Sussex in June 2024.[42]
Music
In January 2024, it was reported that Harry Gregson-Williams was composing the score for the film, taking over from Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard who scored the first film.[43] Zimmer decided not to return because he did not want to repeat his work from the first film. In an interview with Curzon, he said that the film was "in really good hands" with Gregson-Williams, who had started his career as Zimmer's assistant.[44]
Release
Gladiator II is scheduled to be released internationally, including the United Kingdom, on November 15, 2024, and later in the United States and Canada on November 22, by Paramount Pictures. Universal Pictures declined to co-finance the sequel or distribute it overseas as it had the first film because of the sequel's expensive production budget, leaving only Paramount as the worldwide distributor.[45][46] It was previously scheduled for a global release on November 22.[47] On July 1, 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 (also from Universal), whose date was moved from November 27 to avoid competition with Moana 2. This would then spark speculation if pitting the two films together could result in a scenario similar to the Barbenheimer phenomenon resulting from the films Barbie and Oppenheimer being released together on July 21, 2023 the year before, with the potential portmanteau "Wickiator" spreading online.[48]
Marketing
Footage of the film was screened at the CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas, which depicted scenes of Quinn as Caracalla dressed in a white toga and laurel-leaf crown dramatically plunging his thumb downward to note the fate of defeated gladiators, with Nielsen in the background.[4]
Collider's Chris McPherson exclusively reported on June 24, 2024 that the first trailer for Gladiator II would debut in mid-July attached to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which is slated for release on July 26, 2024.[49]
Notes
- ^ As depicted in the original 2000 film.
References
- ^ a b Samuel Braslow; Kevin Dolak; Julian Sancton (February 23, 2023). "Rambling Roundup: Ridley Scott's Very Expensive Roman Holiday". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (July 1, 2024). "Paul Mescal vs. Pedro Pascal: A First Look at the Epic Gladiator II". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ @RottenTomatoes (November 26, 2023). "Ridley Scott gives us an inside scoop on Paul Mescal's role as Lucius in #Gladiator2" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c Romano, Nick (April 17, 2024). "Inside Joseph Quinn's breakthrough year: Gladiator II, Fantastic Four, and more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Stax (June 16, 2001). "IGN FilmForce Exclusive: David Franzoni in Negotiations for Another Gladiator!". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Linder, Brian (September 24, 2002). "A Hero Will Rise ... Again". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Stax (December 17, 2002). "A Hero Will Rise – From the Dead!". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Stax (September 11, 2003). "Ridley Talks Gladiator 2". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Weinberg, Scott (May 8, 2006). "Ridley Lays "Gladiator 2" to Rest". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (July 12, 2013). "WTF: Nick Cave Wanted to Call His Gladiator 2 Script Christ Killer". Slash Film. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Barber, Nicholas (August 9, 2018). "Gladiator 2: The strangest sequel never made?". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Michaels, Sean (May 6, 2009). "Nick Cave's rejected Gladiator 2 script uncovered!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Cave, Nick, Gladiator 2 Draft, archived from the original on February 25, 2010, retrieved January 6, 2023
- ^ "Paramount To Buy Dreamworks". www.cbsnews.com. December 11, 2005. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Hibberd, James (March 11, 2017). "Ridley Scott on Gladiator sequel: 'I know how to bring him back'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 14, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Flemming, Mike Jr. (November 1, 2018). "Ridley Scott Moving Forward With Gladiator 2; Peter Craig To Write Script For Paramount". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Sprague, Mike (June 11, 2019). "Gladiator 2 Is Still Happening, Top Gun 2 Writer Takes on Script". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Ovenden, Olivia (February 11, 2018). "Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott's Oscar Winner Is Getting A Sequel". Esquire. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ New Idea (April 6, 2021). "Chris Hemsworth begs Russell Crowe: Let's make Gladiator 2!". New Idea. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Butcher, Sophie (September 29, 2021). "Ridley Scott Says Gladiator 2 Will Be 'Ready To Go' After Napoleon Movie – Exclusive". Empire. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 12, 2021). "Ridley Scott Won't Let Age Or Pandemic Slow A Storytelling Appetite That Brought House of Gucci & The Last Duel; Napoleon & More 'Gladiator' Up Next". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Graham, Jamie (October 6, 2023). "Ridley Scott couldn't stop thinking about Paul Mescal after watching Normal People, so he cast him in Gladiator 2". Total Film. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Zammit, Mark Laurence (August 19, 2023). "Gladiator film to be given €47 million in taxpayers' money". Times of Malta. Allied Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 6, 2023). "Paul Mescal To Star In Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel For Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin [@krolljvar] (January 6, 2023). "Butler didn't end up meeting as he was looking for a break after shooting MASTERS OF AIR, DUNE 2 and BIKERIDERS back-to-back-to-back. Came down to Paul, Miles and Tim and besides having great meeting with Paul, Ridley was looking for actor who wasn't quite a star yet for role" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 10, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Lang, Brian (July 26, 2023). "After a Decade in Limbo, Brian Robbins Is Giving Paramount a Makeover With 'Ninja Turtles,' Tom Cruise and 'Gladiator 2'". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 16, 2023). "Barry Keoghan In Talks To Join Gladiator Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 17, 2023). "Denzel Washington Reuniting With Ridley Scott On 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (March 17, 2023). "Denzel Washington in Talks to Join Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel". Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 28, 2023). "Paramount's Gladiator Sequel's Cast Grows As Connie Nielsen Closes Deal To Return As Lucilla While Stranger Things Breakout Joseph Quinn Lands Emperor Caracalla Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia; Kit, Borys (April 28, 2023). "Stranger Things Star Joseph Quinn Set for Gladiator Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 1, 2023). "Pedro Pascal Joins Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 18, 2023). "Paramount's Gladiator Sequel Rounds Out Cast With Moon Knight Breakout May Calamawy & Others; White Lotus Actor Fred Hechinger In Talks For Emperor Geta Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 9, 2023). "Six Gladiator 2 Crewmembers Injured In Stunt Accident On Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ Italiano, Eric (December 15, 2023). "Djimon Hounsou Says He Is Not Returning For The Gladiator Sequel (Exclusive)". BroBible. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Gladiator movie sequel to be filmed in Morocco's Ouarzazate". Middle East Monitor. January 8, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Zouiten, Sara (April 12, 2023). "Construction Begins on Giant Arena for Gladiator 2 in Morocco's Ouarzazate". Morocco World News. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Rajput, Priyanca (June 8, 2023). "Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 enters production". KFTV.com.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (July 14, 2023). "Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From Deadpool 3 to Mission: Impossible 8 (Photos)". TheWrap. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (November 28, 2023). "Gladiator 2 Resuming Production in Malta Next Week (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ Gearan, Hannah (January 17, 2024). "Gladiator 2 Completes Filming, New Star Celebrates With BTS Ridley Scott Image". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "Gladiator II filming crews and Paul Mescal spotted in Sussex". The Argus. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (January 5, 2024). "Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator 2' Taps Hans Zimmer Protégé Harry Gregson-Williams as Composer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Warmann, Amon (March 6, 2024). "HANS ZIMMER: 'I HAD TO CHANGE STYLE BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING MINE'". Curzon. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ McPherson, Chris (June 19, 2024). "'Gladiator 2' Just Won the Battle for an Earlier Release Date Internationally". Collider. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (June 19, 2024). "Paramount Goes Epic At CineEurope With 'Gladiator II' Footage; Highlights 'A Quiet Place: Day One' & 'Transformers One'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 3, 2023). "'Gladiator 2′ Gets Pre-Thanksgiving 2024 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/wicked-gladiator-2-same-release-date-barbenheimer-1235051572/
- ^ McPherson, Chris (June 24, 2024). "Here's When the 'Gladiator 2' Trailer Will Drop [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
External links
- Gladiator II at IMDb
- Upcoming films
- 2024 films
- Gladiator (2000 film)
- 2024 action drama films
- 2020s adventure films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s British films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s historical drama films
- American action drama films
- American epic films
- American films about revenge
- American historical drama films
- American sequel films
- British action drama films
- British epic films
- British films about revenge
- British historical drama films
- British sequel films
- Cultural depictions of Lucilla
- Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
- Films directed by Ridley Scott
- Films produced by Ridley Scott
- Films scored by Harry Gregson-Williams
- Films set in 2nd-century Roman Empire
- Films shot in Malta
- Films shot in Ouarzazate
- Films shot in the United Kingdom
- Films with screenplays by David Scarpa
- Historical epic films
- Scott Free Productions films
- Paramount Pictures films
- Upcoming English-language films
- Upcoming sequel films