Gladiator 2 Includes Baboon Fight, We Swear This Is True
It has been 24 years since the original Gladiator came out, and on November 22, 2024, we finally get the sequel, Gladiator 2. It will have a returning Ridley Scott as the director, Hollywood A-listers like Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, and…baboons? Per Paul Mescal, the film’s star, yes, we can expect some baboons, and they will be in the mood for a fight.
Paul Mescal Fought Baboons
Mescal shared this unusual yet intriguing detail at the recent BAFTA Film Awards, where he was present for his Best Supporting Actor nomination in All of Us Strangers.
Ridley Scott himself had previously mentioned that the protagonist in Gladiator 2 would be going into combat against some baboons at one point in the film. Asked to verify if this was true, Mescal enthusiastically verified that it was no joke.
“Well, Ridley said that I fight baboons, so I’m not going to get in trouble for [sharing] that. So yeah! Unless it’s on the cutting room floor,” said the Gladiator 2 star.
Gladiator 2 Continues From The Original Movie
Gladiator 2 will be a distant continuation of its predecessor’s story, following the now adult character of Lucius, son of the first film’s Lucilla (who will also be in the movie played by the returning Connie Nielsen).
As for why baboons will be one of Lucius’ obstacles rather than the more traditional lions in the Colosseum? Apparently, some real-life footage of baboons left quite an impression on Ridley Scott and demonstrated to him exactly how terrifying the animals can be when they want to be.
Baboons In Gladiator 2
“Baboons are carnivores,” said Scott in a November interview with The New Yorker. “Can you hang from that roof for two hours by your left leg? No! A baboon can.”
He cited footage of baboons harassing tourists in Johannesburg as the defining moment that made him reevaluate how dangerous baboons can be. The scene evidently inspired him to show audiences for Gladiator 2 exactly how threatening an irate baboon can be.
Follows The Son Of Maximus
In addition to the previously mentioned stars, Gladiator 2 will also have a cast featuring the likes of Barry Keoghan (of Saltburn), Joseph Quinn (of Stranger Things), Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, and May Calamawy.
While concrete details (beyond the baboons) are still largely being kept secretive, the plot will supposedly follow the now-adult Lucius living out in the wilderness after the traumatic events of the first film. Lucius’ mother has supposedly not seen him in years and believes him to be dead at the time that the movie begins.
High Expectations
It will likely be some time before audiences are even given a teaser trailer for Gladiator 2, but studio executives are reportedly very impressed with what they have seen of the film.
Considering the first movie won an Academy Award for Best Picture and is considered one of Russell Crowe’s most iconic performances, the sequel certainly has some high expectations to live up to.
Living Up To The Hype
Baboons or no, the buzz for Gladiator 2 already has people talking. But with this being one of the first details available about the movie right now, fans will be expecting an incredible baboon fight that lives up to the hype that Ridley Scott gave for the animals.
Gladiator 2 is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2024.
