Summary
Ridley Scott asserts thatGladiator IIis one of the best films he has ever directed. Scott has an impressive filmography featuring many acclaimed films that have defined the science-fiction and action genres, includingAlien,Blade Runner,Gladiator, andThe Martian.Gladiator II’s storypicks up more than 20 years after the original film, with young Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) now a man following in the footsteps of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) as he becomes a gladiator and challenges the leaders of ancient Rome.
While speaking withEmpire,Scott now putsGladiator IIamong his best films, declaring that"it’s the best thing I’ve ever made"or at least“one of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”Scott also promises that"it’s full-bore, brutal action"that will be just as impressive, if not more so, than the originalGladiator.The project has been in the making for more than two decades, going through many phases of development and delays before ultimately coming to fruition.
Will Gladiator II Live Up To The Hype?
It Has Been A Long-Awaited Sequel
Gladiator IIhas already been built with enormous enthusiasm and high expectations, and even more so now that Scott considers it on par with the best films he has ever made.The sequel’s trailer does match the brutal violence and spectacle that Scott has teased, with Lucius having to navigate a water-filled Colosseum, a rhinoceros, and other threats in the gladiator arena that even Maximus did not have to contend with during his harrowing journey. General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) will also fight Lucius in the Colosseum and is clearly a formidable opponent.
Nevertheless, Scott is clearly proud ofGladiator II, and it still has the potential to become one of his greatest works.
While the action, spectacle, cinematography, and star-studded cast all look promising, it remains to be seen if the story itself can rivalGladiatoror Scott’s other beloved films. DespiteGladiator IIcharactersLucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi) returning from the first film, the sequelalmost seems more like a soft reboot than a direct sequel. Lucius is a clear replacement for Maximus, with his motivations and arc appearing to be nearly identical.
6 Biggest Characters Missing From Gladiator 2
Despite being a direct sequel, Gladiator II’s cast is missing several important surviving characters from the original 2000 film.
The same goes for Macrinus (Denzel Washington) replacing Antonius Proximo (Oliver Reed), while Acacius, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn), and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) take over from Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).A soft reboot could work well, but it seems unlikely to be as compelling as its predecessoror Scott’s other best films. Nevertheless, Scott is clearly proud ofGladiator II, and it still has the potential to become one of his greatest works.
Gladiator II
Cast
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.
