*”Gladiator II,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning film, had its first screening on Friday night at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, and early reactions are flooding social media.
Directed by Ridley Scott, the film features a stellar cast, including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Pedro Pascal, and it looks poised to reignite the franchise’s legacy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The screening provided film critics and various media outlets with the first glimpse of a grown-up Lucius Verus II, played by Paul Mescal, who is the nephew of Emperor Commodus—portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in the original movie. In this new installment, Lucius returns to Rome after being forced into slavery, not as a ruler, but as a gladiator seeking revenge and striving to restore the glory of Rome to its people.
Despite some recent films by Scott, such as “Napoleon” and “House of Gucci,” receiving mixed reviews, “Gladiator II” appears to mark a triumphant return to form for the legendary filmmaker. Initial responses from those who attended the screening have praised the film, hinting at another significant Oscar contender.
“Gladiator II is the kind of large-scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works,” Drew Taylor from The Wrap noted.
Such praise reinforces expectations that Washington, in a supporting role, could be a frontrunner for his third Academy Award, with some early assessments suggesting he is a “shoo-in” for Oscar nominations.
The cast of Gladiator II is rounded out by other notable actors, including Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, and Alec Utgoff, promising a diverse range of performances that contribute to the film’s epic narrative. The movie is slated for release in theaters on November 22, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Having garnered attention even before its release, the original Gladiator film remains a benchmark in cinema, winning five Oscars and grossing over $465 million worldwide. The buzz surrounding Gladiator II has only intensified following the successful launch of its first trailer, which achieved an impressive 215 million global cross-platform views shortly after its debut in July.
While comprehensive critics’ reviews will be published closer to the release date, the initial reactions to Gladiator II have set a promising stage for the film.
An unbelievable experience that will go down in cinematic history. Not only does it surpass the original, it tops all-timer sequels like The Godfather Part II, The Dark Knight, etc. Ridley Scott doesn’t hold back.
This is why films are made! WOW.#GladiadorII #Gladiator2 pic.twitter.com/RNvtNgUQdM
— Atom (@theatomreview) October 19, 2024
epic doesn’t begin to describe #GladiatorII
this is the grandest of filmmaking by ridley scott. the theatrics, the blood !!!, and incredible performances make this one of the best films of the year. so fucking incredible pic.twitter.com/UbslKHXhfz
— kenzie xcx
(@kenzvanunu) October 19, 2024
Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent.
pic.twitter.com/ZpowkMpPV1
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 19, 2024
As anticipation builds, fans and critics alike are eager to see whether this sequel can capture the magic of the original while carving out its own legacy.
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