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There's good news for Ridley Scott fans today. Gladiator II is now streaming on Paramount+, just two months after its theatrical release.

Gladiator II was released in the United States on Nov. 22, 2024, and the film went on to gross over $455 million worldwide. The highly-anticipated sequel to Scott's original Gladiator starred Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Mescal starred as Lucius Verus Aurelius, the exiled Prince of Rome and the prisoner of war who fights as a gladiator for Macrinus (Washington), a former slave who wants to overthrow twin emperors, Geta (Quinn) and Caracalla (Hechinger).

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Following its release, Gladiator II was well-received by critics, who found the film...

After a dominant run in theaters, Ridley Scott's epic sequel Gladiator II has officially received its Paramount+ release date.

According to Deadline, Gladiator II will premiere on Paramount+ on Jan. 21. The film is currently available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, with the Blu-Ray and DVD editions set to be released on March 4. Despite hitting theaters the same weekend as another massive hit, Wicked, Gladiator II brought audiences to theaters in droves, nearly matching the worldwide haul of its predecessor. The film earned $455 million at the worldwide box office, just $10 million shy of the original Russell Crowe-led film. The sequel was generally well-received, earning a 71% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and was recently nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.

Related Gladiator II Moves Up R-Rated Box Office Ranks, But Faces Loss After Theatrical Run

Gladiator II continues...

Gladiator II has just crossed a new box office milestone, entering the list of the top-grossing R-rated movies ever. Directed by Ridley Scott, the sword-and-sandal epic serves as a sequel to 2000's Gladiator, following Lucius (Paul Mescal) as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Gladiator 2 reviews have been generally positive from critics since the movie's release last November, and the film, which also stars Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, became available on VOD starting December 24 while remaining available in theaters.

According to new data from The Numbers, Gladiator 2 has now grossed a total of $454 million worldwide, comprising $171 million domestic and $282 million from overseas territories. This means the sequel is now among the top 30 highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time, currently occupying 29th place behind 300 (2007).

More to come...

Source: The Numbers

Gladiator II 8/10

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott's award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel,...

Gladiator II helmer Ridley Scott was supposed to be starting work on a movie about the Bee Gees around this time. However, the famous filmmaker has confirmed that he's no longer attached to the project.

Per GQ, Scott addressed what happened with his Bee Gees movie. It was previously reported in 2024 that he was set to direct a film based on the iconic musical group formed in the late 1950s by siblings Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Reportedly, the project was planned to start production with Ridley at the helm in early 2025. However, as Scott has now shared, he walked away from the biopic after Paramount Pictures "changed the goalposts." He admitted that the deal he was wanting for the film was "expensive," but in his own colorful way, insisted that having him on board would have been worth it.

Related 'It's Really Funny': Ridley Scott Settles Oscar Debate Over...

Gladiator 2's box office leaps into two major all-time highest-grossing movie milestones despite its VOD release.

Per The Numbers, Gladiator 2 is now in the top 25 highest-grossing historical movies of all time both domestically and globally, ranking 25th and 21st respectively.

More to come...

Source: The Numbers

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Gladiator II 8/10

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott's award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.

Release Date  November 22, 2024Rating  RRuntime  148 minutesMain Genre  AdventureGenres  Drama, Action, History, Adventure, EpicCast  Chi Lewis Parry, Riana Duce, Alfie Tempest, Lee Charles, Joseph Quinn, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Chidi Ajufo, Connie Nielsen,...

Denzel Washington’s career is a testament to unparalleled talent and range, making him one of the most respected actors of his generation with a laundry list of incredible characters on his resume. Since his feature film debut in 1981’s Carbon Copy, Denzel Washington has consistently delivered powerhouse performances that have left an indelible mark on Hollywood and movie history. Even Denzel Washington's more underrated movies stand the test of time, showing he rarely has a miss in terms of quality.

Denzel Washington’s ability to immerse himself in roles, whether as a cunning villain, a flawed her, or a complex antihero, has earned him a place in cinematic history. With 10 total Academy Award nominations, including seven for Best Actor, Denzel Washington stands as the most-nominated Black actor in Oscars history. Yet despite this remarkable achievement, many of his roles, arguably deserved even more recognition. As Washington celebrates his 70th birthday,...

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal admits he had to fake it to make it in the acting world, sort of. The acclaimed actor shares how a big lie he told led to him landing his breakout role in the romantic psychological drama, Normal People.

Speaking with W Magazine, Mescal revealed he fibbed when he tried out for and eventually landed his role in Normal People, claiming he could drive despite not owning a driver's license. Mescal recalled his white lie to producers before signing the paperwork to join the Irish series when asked if he had to exaggerate about specific skills to land a part. "I said I could drive for Normal People, and I could not drive. We'd signed the paperwork, I'd gotten the part, and then I'd forgotten about doing my driver's license. So I ended up doing Normal People on a provisional license. I could only drive...

Ridley Scott is not someone who minces his words, and in the last week he has had to make amends after making some brutal, “humorous” comments at the expense of the country of Malta, where he filmed a large portion of Gladiator II and his previous epic, Napoleon. Despite his apparent love of filming in Malta – where he claims back a healthy tax rebate - Scott said during an interview promoting Gladiator II that he “wouldn’t advise going there on holiday.” This did not go down well with many people on the Mediterranean island.

During the conversation between Scott and fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan, which was shared on YouTube by Paramount Pictures, Scott was asked about the filming of Gladiator II. His full comment was:

“I’ve shot three times in Malta, Malta is a treasure trove of architecture, [but] I wouldn’t advise going there on holiday. I would...

Though many regard Gladiator II as a worthy and engaging sequel to its highly-regarded predecessor, one Oscar-winning director claims the film does not entertain him. Legendary filmmaker Oliver Stone believes the Gladiator follow-up didn't satisfy his appetite, branding Ridley Scott's blockbuster as "empty calories" and nothing more.

During an interview on the Pbd podcast, Stone was asked his thoughts about the Gladiator sequel. Though the three-time Academy Award winner conceded Gladiator II was "watchable" and praised Scott for his work on the film, he claims the historical epic felt "commercial" and lacked emotional resonance. "It’s certainly watchable. It’s good, well-made, usual tight Ridley film, but I didn’t care about the people. I wasn’t invested. The first one was a classic. The second one is empty calories, like a commercial product," the Natural Born Killers director said.

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Gladiator II continues entertaining the masses and generating strong financial returns for Paramount Pictures, validating the 24-year wait for the epic historical sequel. Over a month after making its cinematic premiere worldwide, the blockbuster battles past another major milestone.

Via Collider, Gladiator II has now grossed over $400 million worldwide since debuting internationally on Nov. 15. The Ridley Scott-helmed follow-up has earned $252.5 million from overseas territories, plus $147.7 million domestically to push it over the $400 million mark globally, making it the 12th-highest-earning movie of 2024. By Dec. 20, the film is expected to move up to 11th when it surpasses another well-received sequel, Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Related Gladiator Producers Confirm a Controversial Actor Was Nearly Cast in Russell Crowe's Role

The Gladiator team initially considered a controversial Hollywood star for the role of Maximus in Ridley Scott's epic.

Though Gladiator II has seen a decent return on its reported $310 million budget,...

Gladiator II has just passed a major box office milestone as the sequel continues to play in theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott, the long-awaited sequel picks up the story 15 years after the end of the original Gladiator, following Paul Mescal's Lucius as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Gladiator 2 got off to a strong start at the box office on November 22, opening with $55 million, but the film's large budget of about $240 million makes its bar for success quite high.

Box Office Mojo now reveals that Gladiator 2 has now crossed $400 million worldwide. This $400 million total comprises $147 million domestic and $252 million internationally. Considering the movie's budget, however, it may still have a ways to go before it breaks even. The sequel is also $65 million away from the original Gladiator's box office haul.

What Gladiator 2's Box Office Milestone Means For The Movie's Profitability How Much Does...

Gladiator II sees Denzel Washington successfully dabbling in the dark side again under the guidance of acclaimed director Ridley Scott. Though he enjoyed playing his complex character in the film, the legendary actor reveals what most excited him about featuring in the epic historical action sequel.

Speaking with Variety, Washington reflected on his time working on Gladiator II, suggesting the best part about starring in the movie was knowing Scott always had the best idea of presenting his and other characters. “You’re in it, not outside of it thinking, ‘This is fun,’” he said. “You don’t know what take the director will use, but with Ridley, you trust him to make the soup.” The Gladiator follow-up was the first time Washington worked alongside Scott since American Gangster, where he portrayed the infamous drug lord Frank Lucas.

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Legendary director Spike Lee holds the highest regard for iconic actor and long-time collaborator Denzel Washington, considering some of his biggest films featured the fellow Oscar winner. As they prepare to release their latest project together, Lee believes Washington is the "best actor" around and credits the actor's impact on his career.

Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival (via Deadline), Lee expressed how much he savoured his first film alongside Washington since 2006's Inside Man. According to the veteran filmmaker, he is "blessed" to have worked with Washington on five films spanning over three decades. “Someone pointed out to me that the last time we worked together was 18 years ago. I was surprised because it didn’t feel that way. I’m very blessed to have done five films together, he is arguably the best actor on the planet,” Lee said.

Related Denzel Washington Reveals Apology to Black Panther...

A few weeks ago, Hollywood legend Denzel Washington did something he shouldn’t have done. During an appearance on The Today Show, Washington revealed that he was working on a new film in the MCU: Black Panther 3. Nevertheless, he wasn’t supposed to spill the details, and now, Washington reveals he had to call Ryan Coogler in order to apologize for the spoilers about the super-secret sequel in the MCU.

Washington spoke to Variety's Award Circuit podcast, and provided some details about what he had to do after he accidentally spilled the beans about his casting in the third Black Panther movie. But it’s Denzel Washington; half the industry probably already forgave him. Per the actor’s claims:

“Ryan’s a genius. I called him and apologized for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife. He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas.

Gladiator II is the magnum opus of lead actor Paul Mescal's short big-screen career as he leads an all-star cast in a long-awaited and acclaimed sequel. Thanks largely to the historical epic, the Irish star adds a major milestone to his growing CV.

According to Collider, Mescal's movies have now surpassed $400 million at the worldwide box office, with most of that tally coming thanks to Gladiator II. The Ridley Scott-helmed sequel has earned over $369 million globally against its hefty $310 million budget, needing a big push to match the original Gladiator's $465 million haul. Mescal's big-screen career began in 2021 and has largely seen him star in small-budget films, most notably Aftersun ($9.7 million worldwide), which secured him a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.

Related 'She Destroyed Me': Ridley Scott Says 1 Critic Shattered Blade Runner's Box Office Prospects

Ridley Scott asserted that his early films also suffered from "something deeply...

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II is all about Rome. We first see the empire’s golden boy (General Acacius) heading to Numidia to conquer the territory. Predictably, he emerges victorious. His men return with some slaves, including Lucius, who happens to be Maximus’ long-lost son. Lucius starts serving as a gladiator under the arms dealer and Ludus owner, Macrinus, and it’s only a matter of time before the two men get pitted against each other. The scheming Macrinus wants the throne for himself. Lucius wants to reclaim his rightful place in the empire. Who will emerge victorious?

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4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure

Release Date November 22, 2024Cast Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, May Calamawy, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Lee Charles, Chidi Ajufo, Alfie Tempest, Riana Duce,...

Quick Links A 'Gladiator' Sequel Is Following in a Tried and True Tradition From Prestige Events to B-Movie Dreck Ridley Scott's Quarter-Century Struggle to Resurrect the Old-School Epic

Director Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, currently in theaters, is an increasingly rare entry in the sword and sandal species of film. Arguably the first significant cinematic genre, it became the go-to model for some of the first blockbusters in the 1950s. It came with a lot of baggage and some stigma. For as many historical action films that have inundated theaters since the dawn of the medium, they all tend to stick to a few well-trodden tropes, usually focusing on a single man with a penchant for extreme sports, a mustache-twirling villain, and a black and white tale of revenge. The substance is less the plot than the subtext.

Scott's Gladiator franchise hasn't veered from that formula despite the...

Gladiator II helmer Ridley Scott puts multiple records to the sword as Gladiator II continues to ensure the masses are entertained. The acclaimed filmmaker achieves new career milestones thanks to the historical epic's commercial success.

Via Collider, Scott has now surpassed a fellow legendary director amid Gladiator II's productive box office run, leapfrogging Beetlejuice Beetlejuice helmer Tim Burton to become the ninth-highest-grossing filmmaker in history. Thanks to Gladiator II, Scott has now seen his movies earn $4.9 billion worldwide over a decorated career spanning nearly 50 years.

Related 10 Ways Gladiator II Is Better Than Russell Crowe's Movie

Ridley Scott's Gladiator II is laced with action and drama, and has a few ways in which it improves on the original movie with Russell Crowe.

Meanwhile, Gladiator II is about to become the fifth-highest-earning film in Scott's career. The long-awaited sequel has made $320 million worldwide against its hefty $310 million budget, with $209 million...

Quick Links Denzel Washington's Underhanded Approach Makes Macrinus a Great Villain Macrinus Plays Every Moment With Calculated Precision in 'Gladiator II'

It should come as no surprise that Denzel Washington is the best thing about Gladiator II, given his pedigree as an actor. He has long been regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, with two Academy Award wins under his belt, and many more nominations in addition to other accolades, including a slew of box office hits to go along with more prestige projects that have earned raves. However, with Gladiator II, Washington is having a level of fun that moviegoers haven't seen from him before.

This isn't the first time that the actor has played a villain, but what makes his Oscar-winning turn in Training Day so different from what he showcases in Ridley Scott's historical epic sequel is that Washington...

New casting betting odds have been revealed for the next 007. While Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the odds-on favorite, the star of Gladiator II has risen as the next most likely contender for James Bond.

Recently, Paul Mescal found great success with his role as the lead in the hit sequel Gladiator II. Along with garnering high acclaim and predictions of making a splash at next year's awards season, the film was a major blockbuster, already earning over $320 million since its release. Per the James Bond casting betting odds revealed by Ladbrokes, Mescal is at 2/1 to succeed Daniel Craig as the next 007, following only Taylor-Johnson at 1/1.

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Other...

Gladiator II helps one legendary actor put a previous career milestone to the sword thanks to its strong theatrical run. Star Denzel Washington earns a new box-office record as the historical epic emerges from its third weekend in theaters.

Via Collider, the Gladiator sequel is now the highest-grossing film of Washington's decorated Hollywood career. At the time of writing, Gladiator II had made $320 million at the global box office, shattering the previous mark held by another collaboration between himself and director Ridley Scott, American Gangster ($267 million). The sequel has made $208.8 million overseas and $111.2 million in domestic cinemas.

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Additionally, Gladiator II has helped Washington eclipse $4.8 billion worldwide...

Gladiator II is Ridley Scott's sequel to his 2000 movie Gladiator. In Gladiator II, familiar faces, new heroes, and a new batch of maniacal rulers appear to transport audiences back to ancient Rome. While there are numerous inaccuracies in Gladiator II, several of the characters portrayed on screen were real individuals from Imperial Rome. Lucilla (played by Connie Neilsen in Gladiator) was real, as were Emperors Caracalla and Geta. The real Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) and Macrinus (Denzel Washington) were very different from how they are presented in Gladiator II but existed, too.

Here are the Gladiator II characters who lived and breathed in ancient Rome and more about their true stories.

4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure

Release Date November 22, 2024Cast Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, May Calamawy, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Lee Charles, Chidi Ajufo, Alfie Tempest, Riana Duce,...

24 years after Ridley Scott delivered the Best Picture winner Gladiator, Gladiator II has become the holiday event film alongside Wicked. Despite Russell Crowe's glaring absence, the film stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the grandson of Rome's famed leader, Marcus Aurelius. Set nearly two decades after Aurelius' death, Lucius becomes enslaved and taken from his native land to become a gladiator, where he fights to the death in spectacular Roman Colosseum battles.

Despite Mescal earning solid reviews for his performance, those who've seen Gladiator II are bound to wonder what is happening with his strange accent, which sometimes sounds like a muffled mixture of Bane and Ivan Drago. Whatever went into Mescal's choice to imbue Lucius with such an undefinable patois, his accent becomes distracting far too often in the film. Perhaps chronicling Lucius' homeland will help explain why he sounds so strange in Gladiator II.

4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure...

Quick Links Denzel Washington's Macrinus Is the Best Villain in the Franchise Emperor Commodus Was Whiny and Annoying in 'Gladiator'

Very hot take incoming: Gladiator II is better than Gladiator... in one vital area. Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandals action film, starring Russell Crowe, is a timeless classic. No one denies that. The film brought the Felix Legions and the Colosseum to the big screen with a heartbreaking story about family, duty, and revenge. Crowe's performance as Maximus was outstanding and is still one of the best in his career. Ridley Scott's direction is phenomenal, and his dedication to practical effects elevates the film to a whole new level. But (and it's a big but), Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is a bad villain, especially in comparison to Denzel Washington in Gladiator II.

Gladiator II puts a fresh spin on the revenge story from the original movie.

Gladiator II cinematographer John Mathieson slams Ridley Scott's new "lazy" filmmaking style after 24 years of collaboration. Serving as a follow-up to 2000's Gladiator, Scott's sequel follows Maximus' son, Lucius (Paul Mescal), as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Reviews for Gladiator 2 haven't been as glowing as those for the original, and, in fact, the lukewarm reception is similar to many of Scott's recent movies.

During a recent interview on The DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast (via ActioNewz), Mathieson criticizes Scott's filming process on Gladiator 2 as "really lazy." According to the Dp, Scott, unlike with many of his earlier movies, prefers to now uses many cameras to capture scenes, which means he "can only light from one angle." Scott's reliance on CGI to remove unwanted elements of a shot has also increased, says Mathieson. Check out the cinematographer's additional comments below:

"It’s the CG [computer graphic] elements now of tidying-up,...

One of the best up-and-coming stars of the 2010s turned leading man of the 2020s, Pedro Pascal is a fantastic and dynamic actor. Rising to fame from his iconic roles on television series like Game of Thrones and Narcos, and then blasting to A-list status with the success of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal has become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, appearing in franchises and auteur-driven projects over the last decade.

Pedro Pascal's fame and popularity are bolstered by some great work in critically acclaimed films over the last few years, where he has shown off his range and versatility as an actor time and time again. In films that have been given the status of Certified Fresh, the highest status on Rotten Tomatoes, Pascal has brought dynamic performances that enhance already great works.

This New Film Is Already One of Pedro Pascal's Best...

Quick Links Paul Mescal Gained His First Recognition in the Miniseries 'Normal People' 'Gladiator II' Is the Biggest Film of Paul Mescal's Career

Whenever a talented young actor hits the scene, all eyes are fixed on whatever they will do next. That has been the case for Paul Mescal, the 28-year-old Irish actor who has accomplished so much in a relatively short time. All before the age of 30, he has found himself nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, BAFTA TV and Film Awards (going on to win the TV honor), and an Academy Award, and based on the interviews he has given, he seems to lean towards doing work on the stage and indie psychological dramas that allow him to dig deep as an actor.

He doesn't seem to need to be a big movie star, but he has found himself in that position leading Ridley Scott's Gladiator II,...

Gladiator II has reached a tremendous global box office gross that places it in the upper echelon of Ridley Scott's filmography. The director, who also helmed the original 2000 movie, has returned with the belated sequel, which follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Russell Crowe's original character Maximus, as he seeks revenge against the Roman empire while fighting in the gladiator arena. The Gladiator II release was given a pre-Thanksgiving debut opposite Wicked in domestic theaters, though it opened in certain international markets a week earlier.

Per Variety, as of Sunday morning, Gladiator II is projected to take in a 3-day domestic opening weekend gross of $55.5 million. That total, combined with its international grosses from the first ten days of its run, brings its cumulative worldwide box office total to $221 million. Not only does that make the movie the 17th highest-grossing movie of the year so far, it...

Nov. 22 was a big date for moviegoers as two of the most anticipated films premiered on the same date: Gladiator II and Wicked. Both films had strong debuts and together pulled very strong numbers at the box office.

Per Deadline, Universal's adaptation of the popular Broadway musical Wicked soared to the third-biggest domestic debut of the year with $114 million domestically, while Paramount's Gladiator II fought for a $55.5 million domestic debut. Together, the two titles gathered $205 million, the biggest pre-Thanksgiving numbers since 2013's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which had a $226.5 million opening, and only slightly ahead of 2019's Frozen II's opening of $204.9 million. It also marks the biggest post-pandemic pre-Thanksgiving debut.

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Globally, the two movies' grosses are even more impressive.

After more than two decades of fans hoping and begging for a sequel, Ridley Scott gave moviegoers exactly what they wanted by creating the big-screen extravaganza Gladiator II, the long-awaited follow-up to his Academy Award-winning 2000 historical epic that features Paul Mescal as the fierce and resilient warrior Lucius Verus Aurelius. The sweeping picture follows Lucius as he sets out on a dangerous quest to exact revenge against the powerful and feared General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) after his beloved homeland is invaded.

The character of Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark and is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Russell Crowe's iconic hero Maximus in the original blockbuster hit. Crowe notably received an Oscar for Best Actor for his phenomenal portrayal in the Scott classic, and went to great lengths to try and find a way to be involved in the thrilling sequel; let's check out how...

Spoiler Alert: Spoilers follow for Gladiator II

Quick Links Does 'Gladiator II' Set up a Third Installment? Where Else Could a Third 'Gladiator' Go?

As impossible as it is to believe, Gladiator II is finally among us. For years, even as Ridley Scott insisted he had an idea, many balked at the notion of a sequel to the 2000 Best Picture winner, considering it tied things up perfectly. Yet early buzz indicates that Scott has mostly recaptured that magic, making a surprisingly worthy follow-up and an entertaining action flick in its own right. Amazingly, even at the age of 86, Scott has no intentions of slowing down any time soon: hes already planning on turning his now-franchise into a trilogy.

Admittedly, we once again balked at this announcement, but upon reflection, it actually seems like an obvious idea. For one thing, Gladiator II has arguably seen better critical...

Gladiator is regarded as one of Ridley Scotts best films, partly due to its protagonist, but the evil emperor Commodus was a key part of the story. In the sequel, Gladiator II, Scott went back to the well, as it were, and made sure that the emperor in this film was also f***ing crazy. The director recently explained the real-life explanation for their madness.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott was asked about Joaquin Phoenixs character Emperor Commodus in the first film, and how it was similar to Gladiator IIs twin sibling Emperors Geta and Caracalla, played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn. "People forget that all the wealthy, high-end senatorial Roman aristocracy would live on water, which was piped through lead pipes and lead tanks," Scott explained. "People dont think about that. Your choice is water or wine. When you drink water, its through a lead...

Quick Links Lucius Is the New Prince of Rome Macrinus Is the Real Villain of 'Gladiator II' 'Gladiator II' Sets up a Trilogy

Gladiator II lets fans return to Rome 24 years after the beloved original. Ridley Scott returns to the director's chair with Normal People's Paul Mescal in the leading role. The Irish actor plays Lucius 20 years after he fled Rome and was adopted by villagers in Numidia. After war engulfs the nation, Lucius is taken as a prisoner and returned to the heart of the Roman Empire... the Colosseum. Purchased by the manipulative Macrinus (Denzel Washington), Lucius' own plans for freedom and revenge are leveled against Macrinus' endless desire for power, all while the Roman people are exploited under the control of joint emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

Gladiator II is already a hit. The film was released in Europe and the...

Quick Links Does 'Gladiator II' Have a Post-Credits Scene? Will 'Gladiator III' Ever Happen?

Audiences are preparing for their return to the Colosseum when Gladiator II releases in theaters on November 22. Continuing the legacy of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the sequel, 25 years in the making, stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). After fleeing Rome, Lucius grew up in Numidia and developed a seething hatred for the Roman Empire. The sequel throws Lucius into the Colosseum after war ravages the country, telling the exciting next chapter in the Gladiator story.

After the credits roll on the 147-minute-long film (which is short by Ridley Scott's standards), anxious viewers will be left with one question. "Do we have to stay to the end of the credits?" The Marvel effect is real, folks, as screenings of everything from Civil War to Oppenheimer have seen audiences...

Its no secret that the emperors in Ridley Scotts epic Gladiator series are off their chariots, to say the least. Joaquin Phoenix's emperor in the first Gladiator was absolutely mad, and in Gladiator II, twins Geta and Caracalla are equally unhinged. According to Scott, though, thats not just a plot device to serve the story; instead, he says theres a very real historical reason that those in power are what he calls so "f**king crazy."

Set to open nationwide tomorrow, Nov. 22, Geta and Caracalla are portrayed in Gladiator II by Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, respectively. Based on actual emperors, the two have been described by Scott as "damaged goods from birth," but their lineage isnt the reason theyre so nuts. The truth, Scott revealed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, is lead pipes.

"People forget that all the wealthy, high-end senatorial Roman aristocracy would live on water,...

Denzel Washington, the acclaimed actor who's starred in everything from Fences to The Equalizer and, most recently, Gladiator II, already has two Oscars to his name. But, the actor recently admitted that his biggest Academy Awards loss hit him much harder than he expected. In 1999, Washington played Rubin Carter in The Hurricane, based on the real-life boxer falsely accused of murder. Directed by Norman Jewison, Denzel Washington's performance was incredible and earned him a Best Actor nomination. But it wasn't meant to be, as he lost out to Kevin Spacey, who won for American Beauty.

Speaking to Esquire, Denzel Washington reflected on the loss and admitted that he had become "bitter" about the entire process of Oscar nominations. "At the Oscars, they called Kevin Spaceys name for American Beauty. I have a memory of turning around and looking at him, and nobody was standing but the people around him. And...

Apparently, the claims made by Gladiator II star Denzel Washington that his gay kiss was cut from the final edit of the movie are all bullsh*t, at least according to director Ridley Scott, who seemed to have no idea what was going on when asked about it by a reporter from Variety during the films L.A. premiere. Washington stars in the sequel as Macrinus, a former slave who now keeps a stable of gladiators, including Paul Mescals character of Lucius "Hanno" Verus.

Washington told Gayety last week that he "kissed a man" in Gladiator II "full on the lips" before killing him "about five minutes later." He added the scene was cut from the movie because he thought "they got chicken." "I guess they werent ready for that yet," he said. When Scott was approached by Variety (seen below) on the red carpet in Los Angeles last night and asked about Washingtons comments,...

Quick Links Ridley Scott Doesn't Care About Historical Accuracy Ridley Scott Has Framed a Negative Review of 'Blade Runner'

Ridley Scott, the legendary English director behind Alien, Gladiator, Blade Runner, The Martian, and so, so many more, really doesn't care what you think about his movies... and we can't help but love him for it. As we get older, it becomes easier to stop caring about the opinions of others. In the case of Ridley Scott, "others" refers to critics, historians, and disgruntled audiences. It's a grouchy persona that the likes of Brian Cox can pull off charmingly. Scott does the same, but get on the wrong side of him, and he'll definitely let you know.

Across his long career as a director, Ridley Scott has understandably made some blunders. Be it a bad movie like Prometheus, or glaring historical inaccuracies in the likes of Gladiator or Gladiator II,...

Denzel Washington is regarded as one of the greatest actors working in Hollywood, but according to him, he has had plenty of lows in his incredible career. In Washingtons opinion, this is something that was true following his acclaimed performance in Spike Lees 1992 movie Malcolm X.

During an interview with The Times, Washington addressed the huge expectation that was put on him following his career-defining role. He explained that the pressure of trying to live up to certain standards, and his own need to remain active in the industry, led him to star in some movies that did not hit home runs. He said:

After Malcolm X, I made some real clunkers. Look them up I wont say their names. They are all in the 1990s. But I was earning. I had responsibilities. In life, you learn, earn and then you return as in give back. So if your life is 90 years long,...

Gladiator II returns 24 years after the original, with a brand-new cast which includes two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington. Set to play Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who helps Paul Mescal's Lucius train to become a gladiator, the actor also had an important scene cut in the editing room.

Speaking to Gayety ahead of the film's premiere, Washington addressed "how gay is the Roman Empire." During the conversation, the actor also revealed that his scenes included a kiss with a man that led to the man's death. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated sequel won't feature the scene as it eventually got caught in the editing room.

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"I kissed the man in the film, but they took it,...

Denzel Washington broke the internet when he revealed Ryan Coogler is writing him into Black Panther 3 fans didn't even know a third installment was in the works! Marvel fans have been desperate to see the Training Day, American Gangster, and now Gladiator II star join the MCU for over a decade, and it's finally happening. While the reveal came with the bittersweet news of Washington's impending retirement from acting, the star has now revealed why he's joining the MCU after a decade of fan-casting.

Speaking to HeyUGuys, Denzel Washington said it's all thanks to director Ryan Coogler. "It's all Ryan Coogler," said the actor, when asked why he's making the leap to the MCU. Washington didn't reveal whether he's a fan of Marvel movies (or superhero films in general). But, the two-time Oscar-winning actor is joining Black Panther 3 because he loves Ryan Coogler's work. He continued:

"Ryan talked to me about it.

Denzel Washington has revealed that Gladiator II originally included a scene where he kissed another male character on the lips, but it was cut from the movie as, in his words, they got chicken. The actor is one of the many big names appearing in the Ridley Scott-directed epic sequel, and he was happy to share some behind the scenes details about his highly anticipated appearance in what is expected to be one of the biggest movies of the year.

The new detail from Washington has opened up the age-old debate over representation of same-sex relationships and gay characters in historical movies. It has been well documented that Romans and many other ancient civilizations openly had relationships with members of the same gender, and while some fictional movies and shows with a historical context have pushed into this territory, it seems that Washington believes the scene was cut from...

Releasing over twenty years after the original film, ScreenRant is proud to give fans a chance to see Gladiator II ahead of its U.S. premiere. Ridley Scott has returned to direct the much-anticipated movie with Napoleon writer, David Scarpa, serving as the mastermind behind the screenplay. The film's all-star cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, Matt Lucas, Tim McInnerny, Peter Mensah, Denzel Washington, Lior Raz, and more.

While Gladiator II isn't slated to release in theaters until November 22, ScreenRant invites Los Angeles-based readers to an exclusive screening on Monday, November 18. The screening will take place at a special 4Dx location, allowing movie-goers to fully immerse themselves when returning to the Gladiator universe. Tickets are limited, so email joe@screenrant.com as soon as possible to learn more details and secure your spot.

Why See Gladiator II In 4Dx 4Dx offers a multi-sensory experience...

Gladiator II is shaping up to be the most epic cinematic event of the year so far, and to say the pressure is on for it to perform well at the box office would be an understatement. As a sequel to Ridley Scotts phenomenal original that came out in 2000, expectations are perhaps the highest theyve ever been for a movie, and for star Paul Mescal, whose shoulders in a way the film rests on. Sure, he has Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington backing him up, but Mescal is the focus here, and thats a fact that he said only adds to the gravity of the situation.

Produced on a budget of more than $250 million dollars, Mescal told Variety in a recent interview that he takes personal responsibility when it comes to how well the film performs at the box office. In a year when theaters are struggling, he commented that...

Ridley Scott is ready to entertain audiences again with his Gladiator sequel, and the options for where to watch Gladiator II vary over time. 24 years after delivering Russell Crowe's action historical epic, Scott finally made a sequel that continues the story. The movie picks up years after Maximus' death and shifts the focus to his son Lucius, played by Paul Mescal. Gladiator 2's cast is star-studded around him, with Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington among the biggest new additions, while Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla.

Despite the long passage of time between the first film and its successor, excitement for Ridley Scott's follow-up put it among the most anticipated movies in 2024. The good news is that Gladiator 2's reviews are mostly positive as critics praise the action film as a welcome return to the gladiator arena. Paramount is betting on the movie to be a massive hit,...

Legendary Hollywood star Denzel Washington teases when he'll bring his decorated acting career to an end. However, don't expect the Gladiator II star's final curtain call to come anytime soon.

Speaking with Australia's Today about the Gladiator sequel, Washington clarified when he would take his final bow in acting. The Oscar-winning star plans to do so after several upcoming projects debuting in the not-too-distant future, including a surprise Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther 3.

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I dont know how many more films Im going to make. Probably not that many, he said. I want to do things I havent done. Ive played Othello at 22, Im about to play Othello at 70. After that Im playing Hannibal. After that, Ive been...

The clock is ticking until Gladiator II hits theaters, and the buzz around the sequel is getting louder. The new excitement that follows Ridley Scott's genre-shifting masterpiece Gladiator is also hyped by the release of its positive Rotten Tomatoes score.

Gladiator II will hit theaters on Nov. 22 in the U.S., but the film has already started official screenings, and it has debuted with an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes. So far, the score is out of only 49 reviews, which means it might fluctuate up and down as more reviews come in but the current rating is enough to grant it a Certified Fresh score. Since the film is not out in theaters yet, the audience rating is not available.

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Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington reveal what Ridley Scott did to make the sequel feel as special as the original.

Ridley Scott returns to bloody greatness with an ass-kicking sword and sandals sequel that will surely slay the winter box office. Gladiator II recaptures the thrilling epic violence, Machiavellian ruthlessness, and superb lead performances that made the original a Best Picture winner. It unabashedly follows the exact narrative beats without significant deviations. What happens in the first film gets a steroid upgrade here with bigger and bolder execution. Thankfully, there are several third act surprises that spice up the plot and prevent a feeling of cinematic dj vu.

Set almost 20 years after Maximus' (Russell Crowe) death, Hanu (Paul Mescal) wakes up in bed with his beloved Arishat (Yuval Gonen). Their morning afterglow is interrupted by a piercing call to arms. Numidia, a settlement on Africa's northern coast, is under attack. The couple don their armor and race to the sea fort to prepare for invaders. Roman ships are hurtling towards them.

In the 24 years since the original Gladiator, director Ridley Scott has helmed an eclectic list of films. From the woefully underrated Alien prequels to a divisive Cormac McCarthy adaptation and the campy House of Gucci, there's been something for everyone. Now, Scott returns to the Colosseum for another sword-and-sandals epic, and it has about everything you'd expect from a follow-up film.

Gladiator II

Director Ridley ScottRelease Date November 22, 2024Studio(s) Red Wagon Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, Paramount Pictures, Universal PicturesDistributor(s) Paramount PicturesWriters David Franzoni, David Scarpa, Peter CraigCast Matthew Charlery-Smith, Mikhail Basmadjian, Alexander Simkin, Hadrian Howard, Chi Lewis Parry, Riana Duce, Alfie Tempest, Lee Charles, Paul Candelent, Maxime Durand, Joseph Quinn, May Calamawy, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Chidi Ajufo, Connie Nielsen, Matt Lucas, Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Denzel Washington, Peter Mensah, Derek JacobiCharacter(s) Gracchus, Emperor Geta, Emperor Caracalla, Lucius Verus, Macrinus, Marcus Acacius, LucillaRating Not Yet RatedGenres Drama,...

It appears Gladiator II will only be the beginning of director Ridley Scott and lead star Paul Mescal's working relationship. The duo go from ancient Rome to a futuristic America in their next planned project, The Dog Stars.

According to Deadline, Scott has earmarked The Dog Stars as his next film amid an increasingly busy schedule, with Mescal finalizing negotiations to feature in the 20th Century Studios flick. The Dog Stars is an adaptation of Peter Heller's eponymous novel, with The Revenant and Twisters scribe Mark L. Smith penning the screenplay.

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A new look at Gladiator II sees Paul Mescal's central character deep in battle in the heart of Rome.

The Dog Stars is set in a near future in the U.S., with the country decimated by an unnamed pandemic. Amid the pandemic, a civilian...