Gladiator 2: release date, cast, plot, trailer, and more

In 2000, head Ridley Scott introduced Maximus Decimus Meridius to nan world successful Gladiator. The humanities epic starred Russell Crowe arsenic Maximus, a Roman wide sold into slavery aft being betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), nan Emperor’s power-hungry son. Maximus becomes a gladiator and vows to nonstop his revenge connected Commodus for sidesplitting his family. Gladiator was nan second-highest-grossing movie of 2000 and won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

Twenty-four years later, Scott returns to nan arena of humor and soil pinch his long-awaited sequel, Gladiator 2. The movie will travel an big Lucius Verus, boy of Lucilla and nephew of Commodus. Gladiator 2 is 1 of nan astir anticipated films connected nan 2024 calendar. Below, we research everything you request to cognize astir Gladiator 2, including nan merchandise date, cast, synopsis, and trailer.

When is Gladiator 2’s merchandise date?

Universal

Gladiator 2 is now scheduled to beryllium released theatrically connected November 22, 2024. Gladiator 2 will beryllium released 1 week earlier, connected November 15, 2024, successful prime world markets.

Paramount Pictures will administer nan movie successful nan U.S., while Universal Pictures will grip world distribution.

Is location a trailer for Gladiator 2?

The second trailer for Gladiator II was released connected September 23, 2024. This clip around, vengeance is nan taxable astir emphasized arsenic Paul Mescal’s gladiator looks to avenge his wife’s decease and return down evil emperors and conflict bad CGI animals. Hmm, that sounds a spot familiar, doesn’t it?

The long-awaited first trailer for Gladiator II teases respective jaw-dropping conflict sequences, including a conflict pinch sharks wrong nan arena and a one-on-one beard conflict betwixt Mescal and Pascal.

Who is successful nan Gladiator 2 cast?

Paramount / Paramount

Paul Mescal headlines Gladiator 2 as Lucius Verus, a characteristic originated by Spencer Treat Clark successful Gladiator. Variety described nan characteristic arsenic a “nobleman who renounced his privilege.” Lucius is nan boy of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and erstwhile heir to nan Empire. After being sent to unrecorded successful Numbia, Lucius is captured by nan Roman service and forced to go a gladiator.

Mescal is champion known for his Emmy-nominated domiciled of Connell Waldron successful Normal People and his Oscar-nominated domiciled of Calum Paterson successful Aftersun. Predominantly known for starring successful independent features, Gladiator 2 is nan biggest movie of Mescal’s young career.

Scott mentioned really Mescal’s breakout domiciled successful Normal People convinced him to formed nan Irish character successful his Gladiator sequel.

“Can I spot Paul Mescal being arsenic large arsenic Russell Crowe? For sure,” Scott told Total Film successful October 2023. “I watched Normal People. It’s not my benignant of show, but I saw 4 episodes successful a statement – boom, boom, boom. I was thinking, ‘Who nan hellhole is this Paul Mescal?’ And past I watched nan full series. And then, suddenly, Gladiator 2 came up because nan book was moving beautiful well. And I kept reasoning astir Paul. And that was it.”

Exclusive: Ridley Scott tells Total Film that he couldn’t extremity reasoning astir Paul Mescal aft watching Normal People, truthful he formed him successful Gladiator 2 https://t.co/zFWLl0OTnV

— Total Film (@totalfilm) October 6, 2023

Denzel Washington will prima alongside Mescal arsenic Macrinus, a erstwhile gladiator who earned his state and became a able arms and commodities dealer. However, Washington’s characteristic still holds a grudge against nan emperors. Additional formed members see Joseph Quinn arsenic Emperor Caracalla, Fred Hechinger arsenic Emperor Geta, and Pedro Pascal arsenic Marcus Acacius. May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas besides star. Hechinger’s domiciled primitively belonged to Barry Keoghan, but nan Saltburn actor dropped retired because of scheduling issues.

Two actors reprising their roles from Gladiator in nan sequel are Connie Nielsen arsenic Lucilla, Lucius’s mother, and Derek Jacobi arsenic Senator Gracchus, an state of Lucilla and Maximus. Djimon Hounsou was group to return for nan sequel, arsenic Juba but had to driblet retired owed to scheduling conflicts.

Who does Denzel Washington play successful Gladiator 2?

Paramount

Although Mescal is nan movie’s lead, location has been a immense magnitude of liking astir who Washington mightiness beryllium playing successful nan film, successful ample portion because of his unthinkable profession successful Hollywood. Washington plays a powerfulness agent named Macrinus. Scott described Washinton’s characteristic successful an question and reply pinch Vanity Fair.

“Denzel is an arms trader who supplies nutrient for nan armies successful Europe, supplies vino and oil, makes steel, makes spears, weapons, cannons, and catapults,” Scott said. “So he is simply a very able man. Instead of having a unchangeable of racehorses, he has a unchangeable of gladiators,” Scott says. “He’s beautiful. He drives a aureate Ferrari. I sewage him a gold-plated chariot.”

What is Gladiator 2 about?

Gladiator 2 will travel an older Lucius astir 15 years aft Gladiator. Paramount’s charismatic synopsis reads: “Years aft witnessing nan decease of nan revered leader Maximus astatine nan hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to participate nan Colosseum aft his location is conquered by nan tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome pinch an robust fist. With rage successful his bosom and nan early of nan Empire astatine stake, Lucius must look to his past to find spot and grant to return nan glory of Rome to its people.”

Scott explained to Rotten Tomatoes what Lucius has been up to since Gladiator.

“[Lucius] has been retired successful nan wilderness for … let’s see, we past saw him erstwhile he was 12,” Scott said. “It’s astir 12, 15 years later, he’s been retired successful nan wilderness, having mislaid touch pinch his mother. His mother mislaid touch pinch him. She doesn’t cognize wherever he is. She thinks he mightiness beryllium dead.”

Paul Mescal was reticent to connection immoderate further details but added that he was excited astir nan project.

“I can’t show you really stressed I americium talking astir that movie successful peculiar because it’s decidedly nan biggest 1 I’ve done,” he explained. “I consciousness really excited, but it’s difficult to get distant from nan bequest of nan movie a bit… I deliberation it’s really good written and it pays homage to nan first one, but it’s very overmuch thing that I deliberation I tin measurement into and make comfortably my own.”

Ridley Scott says ‘GLADIATOR 2’ will characteristic Paul Mescal’s characteristic fighting a battalion of baboons aft he became haunted by a video showing a existent baboon onslaught successful South Africa:

“Can you bent from that tile for 2 hours by your near leg? No! A baboon can.”… pic.twitter.com/oeRKNNafQL

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 8, 2023

In a floor plan pinch The New Yorker, Scott revealed that Gladiator 2 will characteristic a segment wherever Mescal’s characteristic fights a group of vicious baboons.

The floor plan reads: “In nan meantime, he’d [Scott] been polishing nan 90 minutes he had, including a segment successful which nan leader fights a battalion of baboons; he’d been haunted, he said, by a video of baboons attacking visitors successful Johannesburg: ‘Baboons are carnivores. Can you bent from that tile for 2 hours by your near leg? No! A baboon can.’”

Who is penning and directing Gladiator 2?

Gage Skidmore / Flickr

Gladiator 2 is directed by Scott from a screenplay by David Scarpa. Scott and Scarpa antecedently teamed connected 2017’s All nan Money successful nan World and 2023’s Napoleon. Scott will produce Gladiator 2 alongside Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and David Franzoni. Scott received an Oscar information for Best Director for Gladiator.

Are Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix progressive successful Gladiator 2?

Universal Pictures

Crowe and Phoenix are not expected to reprise their roles of Maximus and Commodus for nan sequel because some men dice astatine nan extremity of Gladiator. Maximus kills Commodus successful a duel astatine nan Coliseum. However, Maximus succumbs to his wounds soon after. Maximus and Commodus could look successful archival footage. Crowe aliases Phoenix could person filmed a concealed cameo for a flashback sequence, but location person been nary reports of their involvement.

At 1 point, location were plans to resurrect Maximus for a imaginable sequel, but those plans now look to beryllium disconnected nan table. The original type of Gladiator 2 would person seen Maximus coming backmost from nan River Styx, but nan book has evolved since then, and is apparently now overmuch much grounded.

“I said, ‘We tin bring him backmost this way,'” Scott explained connected nan ReelBlend podcast. “‘And what I want to do is commencement nan movie successful Styx, connected nan separator of nan ocean, and you spot him, this warrior, wandering successful armor. Then, it’s Maximus wandering, looking for wherever he’s going to spell next. That’s Scene One.’”

Scott still respects Crowe arsenic an actor. However, Scott doesn’t judge Crowe needed to beryllium consulted if the Gladiator II plot did not interest Maximus.

Gladiator II characteristic posters item nan main ensemble

• 1. Paul Mescal arsenic Lucius
• 2. Pedro Pascal arsenic Marcus Acacius
• 3. Denzel Washington arsenic Macrinus
• 4. Fred Hechinger arsenic Emperor Caracalla
• 5. Joseph Quinn arsenic Emperor Geta
• 6. Connie Nielsen arsenic Lucilla

In summation to nan trailer, Paramount released posters for six characters: Lucius, Marcus Acacius, Macrinus, Emperor Caracalla, Emperor Geta, and Lucilla.

Paul Mescal’s Lucius is nan boy of Russell Crowe’s Maximus

The caller 'Gladiator II' trailer has a awesome reveal: Lucius (Paul Mescal) is, successful fact, nan boy of Maximus (played by Russell Crowe successful nan first film). Mescal shares his guidance pinch EW: 'Holy s—' https://t.co/U59YXxglNd

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) September 23, 2024

Scott did not discarded immoderate clip revealing 1 of Gladiator II’s biggest secrets. For each of his life, Lucius believed his begetter was Lucius Verus I. In Gladiator II’s second trailer, Lucilla revealed that Maximus, Crowe’s legendary gladiator from nan first film, was his existent father.

“Lucius, return your father’s strength. His sanction was Maximus, and I spot him successful you,” Lucilla tells her boy successful nan trailer.

Mescal told EW that Scott said astir Lucius’ parentage successful their first talk for nan role. “He [Scott] mentioned it successful nan talk, but past it’s an affronting point to spot it written connected nan page, and [to have] that work autumn connected your shoulders is interesting,” Mescal said.

Early Gladiator 2 footage has ‘blown execs away’

Gladiator 2 first reactions: ‘Blown away’ by Ridley Scott sequel starring Paul Mescalhttps://t.co/hG4jsKTLpw #gladiator2 #paulmescal pic.twitter.com/g9Je0mFZEc

— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) February 22, 2024

Gladiator 2 wrapped accumulation earlier this year. While nary images aliases trailers person surfaced online, Paramount executives person seen immoderate early footage. In February 2024, Deadline reported that Scott had signed connected to nonstop a Bee Gees movie for Paramount. The study included a mini but promising update astir Gladiator 2.

Justin Kroll of Deadline wrote, “Scott precocious wrapped accumulation connected nan sequel to his smash deed Gladiator and, according to sources, early footage has blown execs away.”

Gladiator 2’s fund reportedly exceeds $300 million

Rambling Roundup: Ridley Scott’s Very Expensive Roman Holiday https://t.co/NLIHc0AZDO

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 23, 2024

Due to nan size and standard of nan project, Gladiator 2 was ever going to beryllium expensive. However, The Hollywood Reporter revealed Scott’s sequel went “wildly complete budget.” Initially priced astatine $165 million, nan study states Gladiator 2’s budget “ballooned to thing person to $310 million.” However, Paramount insiders “insist” that nan nett costs of nan sprout was nether $250 million. Reasons down nan precocious fund see claims of animal abuse, delays caused by nan Hollywood strikes, and on-set accidents.

Can you watercourse Gladiator 2?

Universal Pictures

Gladiator 2 will beryllium released theatrically successful November 2024. It will not beryllium a day-and-date merchandise connected a streaming service. When Gladiator 2 does deed streaming, it will upwind up on Paramount+.

Ridley Scott has begun activity connected Gladiator 3

Paramount Pictures

Paramount will apt want to measure nan captious reception and financial capacity of Gladiator 2 before green-lighting Gladiator 3. However, that hasn’t stopped Scott from moving connected a 3rd film. Scott told France’s Premiere mag astir his plans for Gladiator 3.

“I’m already toying pinch nan thought of ​​Gladiator 3. No, seriously! I’ve lit nan fuse,” Scott said. “The ending of Gladiator II is reminiscent of The Godfather, pinch Michael Corleone uncovering himself pinch a occupation he didn’t want, and wondering, ‘Now, Father, what do I do?’ So nan adjacent [film] will beryllium astir a man who doesn’t want to beryllium wherever he is.”

Gladiator 3’s idea has been conceived. Scott has moreover gone truthful acold arsenic to constitute immoderate of nan screenplay.

“I’ve already sewage 8 pages,” Scott said astir Gladiator 3’s development via Total Film. “I’ve sewage nan opening of a very bully footprint.”

Scott added: “If there’s a Gladiator 3, I don’t deliberation you’d ever spell backmost into nan arena. But I had to spell backmost into nan arena…”

Gladiator 2 astatine CinemaCon 2024

CinemaCon is an yearly normal wherever nan year’s large movies are shown to exhibitors. This year, Gladiator 2 is expected to person a presence, and nan promo signs beneath show that nan movie will beryllium 1 of nan highlights of this convention.

#Gladiator2 sets up astatine Caesars Palace up of #CinemaCon2024. https://t.co/ACpJB0JMZy pic.twitter.com/lAfzgpfXps

— Variety (@Variety) April 8, 2024

"What we do successful life echoes successful eternity"
11.22.24#Gladiator2 #CinemaCon2024 #CinemaCon #Vegas #Caesars pic.twitter.com/aW26QAu53m

— Malco Theatres (@malcotheatres) April 9, 2024

On April 11, Paramount showed nan first footage of Gladiator 2 to assemblage members astatine CinemaCon. Mescal’s characteristic is simply a nobleman who renounces his privilege and fights arsenic a gladiator. The action-packed trailer features Mescal fighting a rhino and a horde of baboons. Mescal besides squares disconnected pinch Pascal’s character. Lurking successful nan shadows done nan video is Washington’s character, who looks to usage Mescal’s warrior arsenic a catalyst for nan autumn of nan Roman Empire.

The first footage from #Gladiator2 is shown by Paramount astatine #CinemaCon:

"I retrieve that day. I ne'er forgot it. That a enslaved could return revenge against an emperor," says Paul Mescal's character. A vessel conflict is seen taking spot successful nan Colosseum. Paul Mescal and other… pic.twitter.com/XXc4UGjjBb

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 11, 2024

Early connection connected Gladiator 2 aft trial screening is good

Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR II test-screened successful Vegas. The trim shown was 2 hours 40 minutes and was described arsenic "thrilling" and "Oscar-worthy". Connie Nielsen, Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are said to beryllium nan standouts. https://t.co/147WHvWiv2 pic.twitter.com/Kjvdscm0iu

— Reel Updates (@worldofreel) April 25, 2024

According to World of Reel’s Jordan Ruimy, Gladiator 2 screened successful Las Vegas connected April 24. Early connection connected nan 2-hour-and-40-minute trim was “good,” pinch Washington and Nielson cited arsenic nan 2 breakout performances. Ruimy’s study besides states that Pascal plays Mescal’s stepfather. When Pascal’s characteristic is sent to battle, nan woman and mother of Mescal’s characteristic are murdered.

“The caller characters are strong. Mescal’s capacity is said to beryllium subdued, but effective,” Ruimy wrote. “The standouts seems to beryllium Connie Nielsen who does a ‘great job,’ very affectional and beautiful activity connected her part, and, according to an attendee, she could perchance get Oscar-nominated for her activity here. Washington, arsenic nan shadowy operator, manipulating everything, is deviously brilliant. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus) are said to beryllium entertaining standouts arsenic good — chewing up nan scenery successful their spoiled-rich kid roles.”

Ruimy’s root relayed that nan movie looks “nearly done” pinch only a fewer edits left. The gladiator scenes were “very entertaining,” akin to nan terrific conflict sequences in Gladiator.

New images from reshoots

Roman legionary extras astatine Devil's Dyke, Brighton successful Sussex for nan Gladiator II reshoots this weekend:#Gladiator2 #PaulMescal pic.twitter.com/KpuH8vekE3

— The Ridley Scott Archives (@RidleyScottArch) June 11, 2024

Gladiator 2 is still filming! That’s right, nan accumulation resumed activity to fresh successful respective weeks of reshoots, so, of course, respective photographers captured nan on-location activity.

In nan images above, nan segment appears to beryllium a monolithic conflict involving Roman soldiers. The past image of nan man riding distant connected a equine appears to beryllium Denzel Washington’s character, though thing has been confirmed arsenic of yet.

Paul Mescal connected nan group of Ridley Scott’s ‘GLADIATOR 2’ pic.twitter.com/g854iddq3S

— champion of paul mescal (@bestofmescal) June 11, 2024

The different images showcase Mescal’s Lucius Verus characteristic successful afloat Roman costume, complete pinch ungraded and humor from a caput wound. This is nan first clip we’ve seen a bully image of Mescal successful afloat costume, and to beryllium honest, it intimately resembles nan look and consciousness of Russell Crowe successful nan original Gladiator. This is simply a bully point and makes nan sequel moreover much of a hotly anticipated movie later successful 2024.

Gladiator II footage stuns crowd astatine CineEurope

Paul Mescal's 'Gladiator 2' Rocks CineEurope With Epic New Footage arsenic Paramount Execs Tease nan 'Biggest Action Sequences Ever Put connected Film' https://t.co/uhQID2VnhH

— Variety (@Variety) June 19, 2024

At CineEurope, Paramount executives showcased never-before-seen footage from Gladiator II, including a yet-to-be-released trailer. Per Variety, Scott told nan crowd that nan sequel would beryllium “well worthy nan wait.” Additionally, Mark Viane, Paramount’s president of world theatrical distribution, told nan assemblage that Gladiator II features immoderate of nan “biggest action sequences ever put connected film.”

First look astatine Gladiator II previews a conflict betwixt Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal

Prepare to beryllium entertained. Your first look astatine ‘Gladiator II,’ starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and more, has arrived.

🔗: https://t.co/DIGAL9DVRf pic.twitter.com/KKz7IxCD34

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024

On July 1, Vanity Fair released nan first look at Gladiator II, pinch images featuring Mescal, Pascal, Washington, Hechinger, and Quinn. One photograph features Mescal and Pascal squaring disconnected successful nan gladiatorial arena. Scott precocious said astir what will hap to Mescal’s Lucius erstwhile he returns to Rome and sees his mother.

“When he [Lucius] gets to Rome arsenic a captive and has a first information successful nan arena, he sees his mother [Lucilla] — to his shock,” Scott told Vanity Fair. “He doesn’t cognize whether she’s live aliases not. How would he know? You don’t person telephones. There’s nary press. And there’s his mother successful nan royal container looking beautiful bully aft 20 years. And she’s pinch nan wide who he came face-to-face pinch connected nan wall successful Numidia.”

First Look: Paul Mescal is Lucius successful 'Gladiator II.'

See much images from Ridley Scott's upcoming film: https://t.co/WWYVKnybYX pic.twitter.com/Y1WFNN0rWJ

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024

Gladiator II features nan biggest action segment Ridley Scott has ever directed

EXCLUSIVE ⚔️#GladiatorII starts pinch "probably nan biggest action series I’ve ever done," Ridley Scott tells Empire.

"Probably bigger than thing successful Napoleon," he says.

READ MORE: https://t.co/qIJuFrePNM pic.twitter.com/Ifw5QK9arP

— Empire (@empiremagazine) July 29, 2024

Scott knew he had to spell bigger successful Gladiator II if nan movie had immoderate changeable of improving connected nan original. How big? In an question and reply pinch Empire, Scott explained really nan opening action series is nan “biggest thing” he’s ever done successful his career. Remember that Scott has directed iconic films for illustration Alien, Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down. However, Scott believes nary segment successful those iconic films has travel adjacent to nan scope of Gladiator II‘s opening.

“We statesman nan movie pinch astir apt nan biggest action series I’ve ever done,” Scott said. “Probably bigger than thing in Napoleon.”

Denzel Washington reveals why he joined Gladiator II

EXCLUSIVE: Denzel Washington talks moving pinch Tony and Ridley Scott, arsenic he re-teams pinch Ridley connected #GladiatorII.

"Both are awesome filmmakers," he tells Empire. "They can’t miss."

READ MORE: https://t.co/Pi6rghhoSG pic.twitter.com/NYEgAOXnm0

— Empire (@empiremagazine) August 23, 2024

At 69, Washington has already cemented himself arsenic 1 of nan top actors of each time. With 2 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes, and 1 Tony, Washington has thing to prove. The chance to activity pinch Scott, who he collaborated pinch connected American Gangster, was excessively bully to walk up.

“There are very fewer films near for maine to make that I’m willing in, and I person to beryllium inspired by nan filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” Washington told Empire Magazine. “He’s engaged. He’s excited astir life and his adjacent film. He’s an inspiration. We should each want to consciousness for illustration that astatine 86.”

Washington has nan uncommon favoritism of moving pinch some Ridley and Tony Scott. While Washington refuses to comparison nan brothers, The Equalizer star has nary problem showering them pinch praise and admiration.

“I don’t comparison directors,” Washington said successful nan aforesaid interview. “You spot nan different personalities. I suppose they do [have similarities]. On nan days erstwhile we’re shooting, I’m engaged pinch what I’m doing. So I’m not comparing this 1 to that one, but evidently some are awesome filmmakers. They can’t miss.”

Ridley Scott believes Gladiator II is 1 of nan champion things he’s made

EXCLUSIVE ⚔️#GladiatorII is "the champion point I’ve ever made", Ridley Scott tells Empire.

Or, astatine least, "one of nan champion things". "I’ve made a fewer good’uns," he says.

READ MORE: https://t.co/xc8KtnJeVx pic.twitter.com/TyTKTzCGpz

— Empire (@empiremagazine) August 22, 2024

What is Scott’s champion film? It’s a loaded question, considering nan 86-year-old has directed immoderate of nan champion films ever made. Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator are certified classics. While Scott initially believed Gladiator II could beryllium his champion work, he yet conceded and acknowledged his different awesome films.

“It’s nan champion point I’ve ever made,” Scott told Empire Magazine. “One of nan champion things. I’ve made a fewer bully ’uns.”

Denzel Washington praises Paul Mescal’s performance

Denzel Washington connected Watching Son Malcolm Direct ‘The Piano Lesson,’ Which August Wilson Adaptation Is Next and Why ‘Gladiator’ Is a ‘Hard Act to Follow’ https://t.co/sPGWF0k6oC

— Variety (@Variety) September 10, 2024

Creating a sequel superior to its Oscar-winning predecessor is nary easy task. Washington understood this unit erstwhile signing connected for nan role. However, Washington credits Mescal and Pascal for stepping up, describing their performances arsenic amended than good. Washington moreover went truthful acold arsenic to azygous retired Mescal, who gives 1 of nan champion performances of his young career.

“Not good. Great. Both of them,” Washington told Variety. “It’s a difficult enactment to follow, and Paul pulled it off. He’s his ain gladiator.”

Gladiator II Oscars’ chances

Paramount Pictures

Paramount will position Gladiator II as an awards play contender, pinch aggregate Oscar nominations possible. Even pinch a beardown captious reception and precocious container agency gross, Gladiator II is fighting an uphill conflict astatine nan Academy Awards. The Godfather bid is nan only franchise pinch aggregate Best Picture wins. Furthermore, The Godfather Part II and The Lord of nan Rings: The Return of nan King are nan only sequels to triumph Best Picture.

Gladiator II will beryllium a awesome subordinate successful nan below-the-line categories, for illustration Visual Effects and Production Design. Above-the-line is overmuch trickier to predict. Based connected nan oddsmakers and pundits, Mescal will run for Best Actor, pinch Washington and Mescal electing for Supporting Actor. Scott could easy find his measurement successful nan Best Director category. Best Picture is very imaginable if nan movie performs well.

Gladiator II’s first reactions make precocious praise

Welcome backmost to nan f*king movies!

That sums up #GladiatorII. Ridley Scott's champion directorial effort since "Black Hawk Down." I recovered Paul Mescal's activity arsenic Lucius to beryllium 1 of nan film's astir honorable surprises. This is Denzel Washington, having nan clip of his life successful 1 of his… pic.twitter.com/5ETqmXdbDD

— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) October 19, 2024

With 1 period until its theatrical release, Gladiator II is yet being screened for some fans and critics. The first reactions are highly positive, pinch galore praising Scott’s guidance and nan performances by Mescal and Washington.

Variety’s Clayton Davis said Gladiator II is Scott’s “best directorial effort since Black Hawk Down” and said nan sequel is “another blockbuster nan Academy tin astir decidedly embrace.”

Next Best Picture’s Will Mavity called Washington’s capacity “special” and believes he tin triumph his 3rd Oscar if Gladiator II makes it into nan Best Picture category.

Puck’s Scott Mendelson said he liked Gladiator II but said it “lacks nan courageousness of its convictions amid nan ‘treat nan first movie arsenic axenic gospel’ mentality that plagues excessively galore bequest sequels.”

Discussing Film’s Andrew J. Salazar said nan sequel lacks nan affectional punch of nan first film, but nan visuals “get nan occupation done.”

Gladiator II gets its ain popcorn bucket

Finish nan popcorn, scan nan code, and fto nan games begin. Experience your ain augmented reality gladiator conflict pinch nan #GladiatorII Popcorn AR-ENA Bucket. Get yours astatine @Cinemark opening play and get tickets today. pic.twitter.com/qINBIfJhg2

— Gladiator Movie (@GladiatorMovie) October 22, 2024

2024 mightiness informally go nan “year of nan popcorn bucket.” Deadpool & Wolverine shattered nan Internet pinch its big-mouth popcorn buckets, while Alien: Romulus terrified its audiences pinch Xenomorph containers. Now, Gladiator II enters nan fold pinch an arena popcorn bucket. The bucket is shaped for illustration a gladiatorial arena, cleanable for holding popcorn. Backed by augmented reality, users tin scan a QR codification to simulate a gladiator conflict successful nan container.

Gladiator II’s early container agency search suggests a $50 cardinal opening weekend

Actually #Gladiator2 mightiness successful truth use arsenic overmuch arsenic #Oppenheimer did from
the #Glicked, #Gladicked, #Wickiator, you sanction it double measure jokes pinch #Wicked astatine US #BoxOffice, because pre-sales for that 1 person kept a increasing dependable pacing, different for films pinch specified a… https://t.co/EeP8FCXlkm pic.twitter.com/YaV1Y9DGdC

— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) October 19, 2024

Could Gladiator II and Wicked become nan caller “Barbenheimer?” It’s improbable nan Roman epic and a philharmonic scope nan container agency heights of Barbie and Oppenheimer. However, Wicked and Gladiator II are expected to make bully business for theaters this November. Per Deadline, Wicked‘s three-day home opening is search betwixt $67 cardinal and $74 million, while Gladiator II’s opening hovers astir $45 million.

However, Box Office Theory believes Gladiator II can unfastened northbound of $50 million. The scope connected Box Office Theory falls betwixt $53 cardinal and $75 million.