The sequel to the 2000 film, Gladiator, has been in development since 2001, but only currently have new updates started flowing in about the project. Directed by Ridley Scott, who directed the original, Gladiator 2 will star Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Barry Keoghan, according to recent reports.
A particular fan account of the former actor posted new photos of the second instalment’s Moroccan sets on Twitter. The images clearly show the production team building a new colosseum for an authentic Roman look. Check out the images in the original tweet below:
The amphitheater seems to be largely made out of wood; an interestingly diverse choice compared to the structure built in the original film. Even though the arena size appears smaller than the one in the 2000 film, the final result may differ once construction is complete.
Previous ideas for the long-awaited sequel have tapered off in the two decades the sequel was in development. But since Paul Mescal was brought on to play Lucius, the sequel might incorporate a time after Maximus changed how generals were thrown in the arena for survival. His revenge bought the sympathy of the empire’s citizens, but how will that play into the new Colosseum and the probable continuation of the gladiator games?
After Russell Crowe’s Maximus’ changed how things were run in the old kingdom, the smaller arena might be a reminder of the atrocities he slaved to eradicate. Or the smaller wooden amphitheater might be training ground for new gladiators to learn the quickest and goriest techniques to slay their opponent.
In the times of VFX & CGI, it is commendable that Ridley is creating authentic and realistic sets without relying on technology. After all, this only instills more hope that the Gladiator sequel will match the same standard as the successful original.
About Gladiator II
Gladiator II is a 2024 epic historical action film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, from a story he wrote with Peter Craig. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), the film was produced by Scott Free Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
It stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
Plot: Sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius’s death, Rome is ruled by the corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla. Aurelius’s grandson, Lucius Verus Aurelius, lives with his wife Arishat under the alias “Hanno” in Numidia. General Marcus Acacius’s Roman army invade and conquer the city, enslaving Lucius and killing Arishat.
Source: Twitter
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