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Normally we don’t get a ton of trailer debuts over the weekend and this early on a Monday morning but to go along with Marvel’s Thunderbolts* teaser, we also have a sword slashing worthy new trailer for Ridley Scott’s long overdue sequel Gladiator II. The first teaser was maligned for its use of hip-hop music for the teaser, so this one keeps it more traditional, and they let the lavish visuals, cinematography, star power and epic set pieces do the talking this time around. If you were not entertained wit the first one then maybe this one will do the trick. Scroll below!
From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
The star studded cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen and the one and only Denzel Washington.
I’m sure there will be many out there that will dismiss this as it could never truly reach the heights of the first film but good lord. The trailer gives us an incredible look at how the massive budget was used with friggin’ sharks in the coliseum to add more to the already suicide mission proceedings, large scale and epic battles that will make any action fan salivate with unequaled bloodlust, Denzel Washington doing Denzal Washington things as only he can on screen, and Paul Mescal’s Lucius taking on The Mandalorian himself Pedro Pascal who plays Marcys Acacius in the arena of sport and blood with some amazing action design and enough sword clanging and crashing to make you smile from ear to ear. I’m all in!
Gladiator is considered by many, me included, to be one of the greatest cinematic achievements ever. If anything, it certainly is Russell Crowe’s crowning achievement in his career. Director Ridley Scott crafted a sword and sandal epic like no other and it stands as a blood-soaked piece of cinematic history. The movie itself had a beginning, a middle and an end and it really didn’t warrant a sequel because its story had been told. Plus, if a sequel was created, could it be as good or better than the original? We shall see but Scott is saying that it’s the best work he has ever done so there’s that.
Gladiator II will be unleashed theaters on November 22, 2024, from Paramount Pictures!
