‘Gladiator II’: What We Can Expect to See in the Sequel
Gladiator II is set to premiere in theaters on November 22 and fans of the original can’t wait, especially after the critics called it a “true epic” in this post from Forbes. Before the movie drops, what can we expect from director Ridley Scott’s latest?
Some Original Cast Members Are Returning
Russell Crowe (Maximus Meridius) will not be back, as his character died at the end of the first film. However, other actors are back for the sequel. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprise their roles from the first film.
New faces are joining the cast. Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a general who trained under Maximus Meridius and of course, Denzel Washington who, as reports said, had “too good a time” on set. He is set to play Macrinus, a gladiator wrangler and arms dealer.
Paul Mescal Kicked Pedro Pascal’s Butt
One of the important experiences Pascal remembers from filming Gladiator II is how physical the role has been, and how new case member Paul Mescal kicked Pedro Pascal’s butt, or “elder abuse” as he calls it. “A lot of work has been really physical, and I love that, but it was more challenging than it’s ever been for me.”
Impromptu Kiss
In one of the takes during a fight scene between Mescal and Pascal, Mescal had an idea to kiss Pascal on the forehead. “I did it in one of the takes, and then we’re getting the radio messages back to Ridley [in video village], and I was like, ‘Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yay or nay?’ There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back, and [Ridley] goes, ‘I’m afraid I did.’” We can’t wait to see how this impromptu kiss panned out!
The Film’s Visuals
Although the critics’ reviews were positive, most agree the sequel did not surpass the original saying it lacks the “emotional punch” of the first film. Some critics praised Mescal’s performance, however, it was not “as captivating as Crowe.” Still, most critics agree that the film’s visuals are exceptional.
Opportunity for Gladiator III?
Director Ridley Scott was asked whether there are plans for a Gladiator 3. Scott, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, said, “People say, ‘Have you got [a third film]?’ And I say, ‘Of course.’ That’s the knee-jerk answer. Have we got it yet? Not really. I mean, of course, I was thinking about it even when I was doing Gladiator II on the basis of who will survive. It is better if there’s a survivor.”
With all these reports circulating Gladiator II, it’s clear that Ridley Scott’s latest film is set to make history with its intense battles and captivating storytelling. With returning characters and new faces, this is one sequel fans won’t want to miss!
