Gladiator 2 Is Blowing Away Studio Execs
Since Gladiator 2 was first announced, fans have approached the upcoming film with cautious optimism, hopeful that the sequel can live up to the original film nearly a quarter-century after its release.
Studio Execs Love Gladiator 2
Now, according to a write-up in Deadline, a number of studio executives have seen early cuts of the upcoming period piece and have all been blown away. The film is slated to hit theaters this November, with hype continuing to build as director Ridley Scott shops his name around for other projects.
Gladiator 2 Follows Son Of Maximus
Gladiator 2 will center on the journey of a character named Lucius, portrayed by Paul Mescal, who is said to be the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius and Lucilla, from the first film.
Connie Nielsen, who portrayed Lucilla in the original Gladiator is currently the only performer confirmed to reprise her role in the film, though Russell Crowe has expressed in media outlets that he’d love to return in the form of a ghost or flashback.
Instead, Ridley Scott has stated that he’d prefer the film to be more grounded, showcasing Lucius’ struggle to follow in the footsteps of his gladiator father.
Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, And Others In Gladiator 2
Other performers attached to star in Gladiator 2 include Denzel Washington, Matt Lucas, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Tim McInnerny, and Pedro Pascal.
No information has been revealed about Pascal’s character at this time, though fans have seen a sneak peak at the Mandalorian actor on the set of the giant Colosseum in Malta where some of the movie was shot, which suggests the beloved actor will be portraying someone from the upper class.
Alternatively, Denzel Washington is said to be playing a former slave who managed, in his freedom, to become a well-respected arms dealer to Roman armies.
Ridley Scott Directing Bee Gees Movie After Gladiator 2
Apparently, Ridley Scott is preparing to take on the challenge of adapting a Bee Gees biopic for Paramount Pictures once he finishes working on the final cut of Gladiator 2.
Scott has not yet been confirmed to direct, but he is already listed as a producer alongside Michael Pruss, Stacey Snider, and Graham King through their various production outlets.
The Gladiator filmmaker is known to stay quite busy and often loads his schedule with projects rapidly after clearing his to-do list.
Gladiator 2 Scenes Screened
It is highly fascinating, however, how quickly Ridley Scott can switch gears from an epic historical drama set in the days of Ancient Rome to a 1960s British disco biopic.
Reports that indicate Gladiator 2 shots have wowed executives haven’t specified much about the production, though the original film contained a great deal of well-choreographed fights, action set-pieces, and spectacular genre-defining performances from its main cast.
Gladiator 2 Wrapped Production In January
The Gladiator 2 cast and plot synopsis are enough to leave many fans blown away, so it should come as no surprise that the film’s early cuts are so promising for executives behind the scenes.
The film wrapped production in January, with a long road of post-production work still forthcoming. With any luck, the studio will soon have enough material to produce an epic trailer, bringing general audiences into the fray regarding the spectacular shots captured in the upcoming sequel.
Source: Deadline
