Gladiator II

Last updated

Gladiator II
Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by David Scarpa
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography John Mathieson
Edited by
Music by Harry Gregson-Williams
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • November 22, 2024 (2024-11-22)
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$250–310 million [1]

Gladiator II is an upcoming historical epic film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), the film was written by David Scarpa, and stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi, the last two reprising their roles. It was produced by Scott Free Productions for Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures.

Contents

A sequel to Gladiator was discussed as early as June 2001, with David Franzoni and John Logan set to return as screenwriters. Over the next few years, Scott offered occasional updates, including the possible involvement of the original film's lead actor, Russell Crowe, and plot ideas around the Roman afterlife and different historical time periods. Development was halted when DreamWorks sold the rights to the property to Paramount in 2006.

The sequel was finally announced in 2018, and Mescal was hired in the lead role in January 2023, with a script by Scarpa. The rest of the cast signed on over the next several months, and filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, with a five-month hiatus due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Gladiator II is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 22, 2024.

Cast

Production

Development

In June 2001, developments for a Gladiator (2000) follow-up began in the form of potential for either a prequel or a sequel, with David Franzoni in early negotiations to once again serve as screenwriter. [4] The following year, a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter. The plot, set fifteen years later, included the Praetorian Guards ruling Rome, and an older-aged Lucius searching for the truth about his biological father. Franzoni signed on as producer, alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parkes. [5] In December 2002, the film's plot was announced to include prequel events regarding the parentage of Lucius, as well as sequel events depicting the resurrection of Maximus. Producers and Russell Crowe collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife. [6] By September 2003, Ridley Scott announced that the script was completed, while confirming that the story would primarily center around the secret son of Maximus being Lucius. [7]

Ridley Scott returns to direct Gladiator II after two decades since the original. NASA Journey to Mars and "The Martian" (201508180030HQ).jpg
Ridley Scott returns to direct Gladiator II after two decades since the original.

In May 2006, Scott stated that while development on the project continued, the exact story for the film had yet to be mapped out. The filmmaker stated that all creative minds that were involved with Gladiator were working on how to continue from where the story left off. Scott stated that Crowe had favoured a fantasy element in bringing Maximus back to life, while Scott believed a grounded, historical approach was the better option. While he believed the film would not be made, he confirmed the plan to reveal that Lucius is the son of Maximus and Lucilla. He also discussed the necessity of a more complex script with the corruption of Rome in the potential sequel. [8] During this time, Nick Cave was commissioned to write a new draft of the script. It was later revealed to be written under the working title of "Christ Killer". Cave described the plot as a "deities vs. deity vs. humanity" story. The premise involved Maximus in purgatory, who is resurrected as an immortal eternal warrior for the Roman gods. In the draft, Maximus is sent to Earth and tasked with stopping the momentum of Christianity by killing Jesus Christ and his disciples, as their movement was gradually siphoning off the power and vitality of the ancient Pagan gods. During his task mission, Maximus is tricked into murdering his own son. Cursed to live forever, Cave's script included Maximus fighting amongst the Crusades, WWII, and the Vietnam War; with the ending revealing that in the modern-day time period, the character now works at The Pentagon. The script was ultimately rejected and scrapped. [9] [10] [11] [12]

After experiencing financial difficulties in the 2000s, DreamWorks Pictures—including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre-2006 live-action film library—was sold to Paramount Pictures in 2006 and development on the sequel was halted. [13] In March 2017, Scott revealed that the difficulties of reintroducing Maximus, when the character is deceased, had been resolved. The filmmaker expressed enthusiasm for the future of the project, while discussions with Russell Crowe to reprise his role were ongoing. [14] In November 2018, it was announced that Paramount was officially green-lighting the development of a sequel. Scott was in early negotiations to once again serve as director, with a script written by Peter Craig. Scott will additionally serve as producer alongside Doug Wick, Lucy Fisher, Walter Parkes, and Laurie MacDonald. The project will be a joint-venture production between Paramount, Scott Free Productions, and Parkes/MacDonald Productions with Universal Pictures as a co-financing partner. [15] By June 2019, producers stated: "...we wouldn't touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate." In their interview, they also revealed that the current script takes place 25–30 years after the first film. [16] The plot will center around Lucius. [17]

In April 2021, Chris Hemsworth approached Crowe with a proposal to become involved with the project, with the intention to co-produce the film. While working together on Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), the two actors shared additional ideas for the film. [18] By September 2021, Scott stated that the script was once again being worked on with his intention being to direct the sequel upon the completion of production on his current project Napoleon (2023). [19] In November, it was revealed that David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on Napoleon, was rewriting the script. [20] Scarpa was hired by Scott because of their friendship, but struggled with him to find a good script for the film's story since 2019, leading Scott to wait ten months until Scarpa came up with the idea of using Lucius as the protagonist. [21]

Originally greenlit with a production budget of $165 million, the cost of the film ballooned to a reported $310 million by the time filming wrapped (though Paramount insisted the net cost did not exceed $250 million). [1] The production received nearly €47 million in film incentive rebates from Malta, setting a record the largest rebate issued for a film production in the European Union. [22]

Pre-production

In January 2023, Paul Mescal was cast in the film, while it was also reported that Arthur Max and Janty Yates, the production designer and costume designer of the original film, respectively, would also be returning to work on the sequel. [23] Scott was unaware of Mescal's fame until he watched him in the first four episodes of the BBC Three/Hulu miniseries Normal People , leading Scott to see the whole miniseries just as the story for Gladiator 2 came up because of Scarpa working out the script, leading him to cast Mescal due to having him in mind for something, feeling that he could be as good as Crowe. [21] Austin Butler, Richard Madden, and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role. [24] Mescal was chosen after Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland had seen his performance in the West End revival of A Streetcar Named Desire , claiming that the "ladies in the audience [had been] very vocal" when he had taken his shirt off. [25] In March, Barry Keoghan entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor Geta while Denzel Washington joined the cast. [26] [27] Additionally, John Mathieson was set to return as cinematographer for the film. [28]

In April 2023, it was announced that Connie Nielsen and Djimon Hounsou would reprise their roles as Lucilla and Juba respectively, while Joseph Quinn was added to the cast as Emperor Caracalla. [29] [30] In May 2023, Pedro Pascal, May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah and Matt Lucas joined the cast of the film, with Fred Hechinger entering negotiations to play Geta after Keoghan had to drop out over scheduling conflicts. Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gracchus from the first film. [31] [32] Hechinger would be confirmed the following month. [33] In December, Hounsou announced that, despite initially being involved, he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts. [34]

Filming

Production was expected to begin in May 2023, with Ouarzazate, Morocco set as a filming location. [35] Set construction began in the city in April. [36] Filming began in June 2023 with additional filming locations planned for Malta, which stood-in for ancient Rome, and the United Kingdom over the following four months. [37] [3] An accident involving fire during filming on June 7 injured six crew members. [33] Filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [38] Filming resumed on December 4 in Malta, [39] and wrapped on January 17, 2024. [40]

Music

In January 2024, it was revealed that Harry Gregson-Williams had composed the score for the film, taking over from Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard who scored the first film. [41]

Release

Gladiator II is scheduled to be released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on November 22, 2024, and internationally by Universal Pictures. [42]

Marketing

Footage of the film was screened at the CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas, which depicted scenes of Quinn's Caracalla dressed in a white toga and laurel-leaf crown dramatically plunging his thumb downward to note the fate of defeated gladiators, with Nielsen in the background. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridley Scott</span> British film director and producer (born 1937)

Sir Ridley Scott is an English filmmaker. He is best known for directing films in the science fiction, crime and historical drama genres. His work is known for its atmospheric and highly concentrated visual style. He ranks among the highest-grossing directors and has received many accolades, including the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement in 2018, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 and appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III in 2024.

<i>Gladiator</i> (2000 film) Film directed by Ridley Scott

Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Tomas Arana, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, Richard Harris, and Tommy Flanagan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Scarpa</span> American screenwriter

David Scarpa is an American screenwriter. He is best known for writing the screenplays to The Last Castle, the 2008 remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still and All the Money in the World, about the John Paul Getty III kidnapping, which was released in December 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Hechinger</span> American actor (born 1999)

Fred Hechinger is an American actor. He began his career with supporting roles in such films as the coming-of-age film Eighth Grade (2018), the period drama News of the World (2020), and the psychological thriller The Woman in the Window (2021). Also in 2021, he starred in the Netflix horror The Fear Street Trilogy (2021) and the first season of the HBO anthology series The White Lotus (2021). He has since portrayed Seth Warshavsky in the miniseries Pam & Tommy (2022).

<i>Top Gun: Maverick</i> 2022 film directed by Joseph Kosinski

Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie from stories by Peter Craig and Justin Marks. The film is a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun. Tom Cruise reprises his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick. It is based on the characters of the original film created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. It also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer, who reprises his role as Iceman. The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridley Scott's unrealised projects</span>

The following is a list of unproduced Ridley Scott projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, English film director Ridley Scott has worked on a number of projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell into development hell or were officially canceled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Quinn (actor)</span> English actor

Joseph Quinn is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things (2022). His previous appearances were in the BBC One series Dickensian (2016), Howards End (2017), and Les Misérables (2018), and the Sky Atlantic series Catherine the Great (2019).

<i>Kraven the Hunter</i> (film) Upcoming superhero film by J. C. Chandor

Kraven the Hunter is an upcoming American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel Entertainment, Arad Productions, and Matt Tolmach Productions, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it is intended to be the sixth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The film was directed by J. C. Chandor from a screenplay by Richard Wenk and the writing team of Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role alongside Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Christopher Abbott, Alessandro Nivola, and Russell Crowe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Mescal</span> Irish actor (born 1996)

Paul Colm Michael Mescal is an Irish actor. Born in Maynooth, he studied acting at The Lir Academy and subsequently performed in plays in Dublin theatres. Mescal rose to fame with his role in the miniseries Normal People (2020), earning a BAFTA TV Award and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

<i>Joker: Folie à Deux</i> Upcoming DC Studios film

Joker: Folie à Deux is an upcoming American musical psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay co-written with Scott Silver. Loosely based on DC Comics characters, it is the sequel to Joker (2019), and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Lady Gaga as his love interest, Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz also reprises her role from the previous film, while Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener join the cast. It is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, and DC Studios in association with Joint Effort.

<i>Napoleon</i> (2023 film) Film by Ridley Scott

Napoleon is a 2023 epic historical drama film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa. Based on the story of Napoleon Bonaparte and primarily depicting his rise to power as well as his relationship with his wife, Joséphine Bonaparte, it stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine.

A Quiet Place is a series of American post-apocalyptic horror films set in a world inhabited by blind extraterrestrial creatures with an acute sense of hearing. It is based on a story by screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. The series began with the 2018 film A Quiet Place and was followed by the 2020 sequel A Quiet Place Part II, both directed by John Krasinski. A third film, A Quiet Place Part III, also directed by Krasinski, is in development and scheduled to be released in 2025.

<i>The Pale Blue Eye</i> 2022 American film directed by Scott Cooper

The Pale Blue Eye is a 2022 American mystery thriller film written and directed by Scott Cooper, adapted from the 2006 novel of the same name by Louis Bayard. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, and Robert Duvall. Its plot follows veteran detective Augustus Landor in 1830 West Point, New York, as he investigates a series of murders at the United States Military Academy with the aid of Edgar Allan Poe, a young military cadet.

<i>A Quiet Place: Day One</i> Upcoming film by Michael Sarnoski

A Quiet Place: Day One is an upcoming American apocalyptic horror film that is a spin-off prequel and the third installment in the A Quiet Place film series. It is directed and written by Michael Sarnoski, based on a story by John Krasinski and Sarnoski. The film stars Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, and Alex Wolff, with Djimon Hounsou reprising his role from A Quiet Place Part II (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May Calamawy</span> Egyptian-Palestinian actress

May el-Calamawy is an Egyptian-Palestinian actress who has worked and resided in the United States since 2015. She is known for her roles in the American television series Ramy as Dena Hassan, and Moon Knight as Layla El-Faouly.

References

  1. 1 2 Samuel Braslow; Kevin Dolak; Julian Sancton (February 23, 2023). "Rambling Roundup: Ridley Scott's Very Expensive Roman Holiday". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  2. @RottenTomatoes (November 26, 2023). "Ridley Scott gives us an inside scoop on Paul Mescal's role as Lucius in #Gladiator2" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  3. 1 2 3 Romano, Nick (April 17, 2024). "Inside Joseph Quinn's breakthrough year: Gladiator II, Fantastic Four, and more". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  4. Stax (June 16, 2001). "IGN FilmForce Exclusive: David Franzoni in Negotiations for Another Gladiator!". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. Linder, Brian (September 24, 2002). "A Hero Will Rise ... Again". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  6. Stax (December 17, 2002). "A Hero Will Rise – From the Dead!". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  7. Stax (September 11, 2003). "Ridley Talks Gladiator 2". IGN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  8. Weinberg, Scott (May 8, 2006). "Ridley Lays "Gladiator 2" to Rest". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  9. Fischer, Russ (July 12, 2013). "WTF: Nick Cave Wanted to Call His Gladiator 2 Script Christ Killer". Slash Film. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  10. Barber, Nicholas (August 9, 2018). "Gladiator 2: The strangest sequel never made?". British Broadcasting Company. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  11. Michaels, Sean (May 6, 2009). "Nick Cave's rejected Gladiator 2 script uncovered!". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  12. Cave, Nick, Gladiator 2 Draft, archived from the original on February 25, 2010, retrieved January 6, 2023
  13. "Paramount To Buy Dreamworks". www.cbsnews.com. December 11, 2005. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  14. Hibberd, James (March 11, 2017). "Ridley Scott on Gladiator sequel: 'I know how to bring him back'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 14, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  15. Flemming, Mike Jr. (November 1, 2018). "Ridley Scott Moving Forward With Gladiator 2; Peter Craig To Write Script For Paramount". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  16. Sprague, Mike (June 11, 2019). "Gladiator 2 Is Still Happening, Top Gun 2 Writer Takes on Script". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  17. Ovenden, Olivia (February 11, 2018). "Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott's Oscar Winner Is Getting A Sequel". Esquire. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  18. New Idea (April 6, 2021). "Chris Hemsworth begs Russell Crowe: Let's make Gladiator 2!". New Idea. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  19. Butcher, Sophie (September 29, 2021). "Ridley Scott Says Gladiator 2 Will Be 'Ready To Go' After Napoleon Movie – Exclusive". Empire. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  20. Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 12, 2021). "Ridley Scott Won't Let Age Or Pandemic Slow A Storytelling Appetite That Brought House of Gucci & The Last Duel; Napoleon & More 'Gladiator' Up Next". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  21. 1 2 Graham, Jamie (October 6, 2023). "Ridley Scott couldn't stop thinking about Paul Mescal after watching Normal People, so he cast him in Gladiator 2". Total Film . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  22. Zammit, Mark Laurence (August 19, 2023). "Gladiator film to be given €47 million in taxpayers' money". Times of Malta . Allied Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023.
  23. Kroll, Justin (January 6, 2023). "Paul Mescal To Star In Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel For Paramount". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  24. Kroll, Justin [@krolljvar] (January 6, 2023). "Butler didn't end up meeting as he was looking for a break after shooting MASTERS OF AIR, DUNE 2 and BIKERIDERS back-to-back-to-back. Came down to Paul, Miles and Tim and besides having great meeting with Paul, Ridley was looking for actor who wasn't quite a star yet for role" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 10, 2023 via Twitter.
  25. Lang, Brian (July 26, 2023). "After a Decade in Limbo, Brian Robbins Is Giving Paramount a Makeover With 'Ninja Turtles,' Tom Cruise and 'Gladiator 2'". Variety . Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  26. Kroll, Justin (March 16, 2023). "Barry Keoghan In Talks To Join Gladiator Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  27. Kroll, Justin (March 17, 2023). "Denzel Washington Reuniting With Ridley Scott On 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  28. Jackson, Angelique (March 17, 2023). "Denzel Washington in Talks to Join Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel". Variety . Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  29. Kroll, Justin (April 28, 2023). "Paramount's Gladiator Sequel's Cast Grows As Connie Nielsen Closes Deal To Return As Lucilla While Stranger Things Breakout Joseph Quinn Lands Emperor Caracalla Role". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  30. Galuppo, Mia; Kit, Borys (April 28, 2023). "Stranger Things Star Joseph Quinn Set for Gladiator Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  31. Kroll, Justin (May 1, 2023). "Pedro Pascal Joins Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  32. Kroll, Justin (May 18, 2023). "Paramount's Gladiator Sequel Rounds Out Cast With Moon Knight Breakout May Calamawy & Others; White Lotus Actor Fred Hechinger In Talks For Emperor Geta Role". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  33. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 9, 2023). "Six Gladiator 2 Crewmembers Injured In Stunt Accident On Set". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  34. Italiano, Eric (December 15, 2023). "Djimon Hounsou Says He Is Not Returning For The Gladiator Sequel (Exclusive)". BroBible. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  35. "Gladiator movie sequel to be filmed in Morocco's Ouarzazate". Middle East Monitor . January 8, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  36. Zouiten, Sara (April 12, 2023). "Construction Begins on Giant Arena for Gladiator 2 in Morocco's Ouarzazate". Morocco World News . Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  37. Rajput, Priyanca (June 8, 2023). "Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 enters production". KFTV.com .
  38. Gonzalez, Umberto (July 14, 2023). "Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From Deadpool 3 to Mission: Impossible 8 (Photos)". TheWrap . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  39. Lang, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (November 28, 2023). "Gladiator 2 Resuming Production in Malta Next Week (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  40. Gearan, Hannah (January 17, 2024). "Gladiator 2 Completes Filming, New Star Celebrates With BTS Ridley Scott Image". Screen Rant . Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  41. Ritman, Alex (January 5, 2024). "Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator 2' Taps Hans Zimmer Protégé Harry Gregson-Williams as Composer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  42. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 3, 2023). "'Gladiator 2′ Gets Pre-Thanksgiving 2024 Release". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 3, 2023.