Gladiator II

Sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius' death,{{efn|As depicted in Gladiator (2000)}} Rome is ruled by the corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla. In the North African kingdom of Numidia, Hanno lives with his wife, Arishat. The Roman army led by General Acacius invades and conquers the kingdom, killing Arishat and enslaving Hanno and the other survivors. The enslaved people are taken to Ostia, where the Romans pit them against baboons to advertise them as potential gladiators. Hanno savagely kills a baboon, impressing the stable master Macrinus, who promises Hanno an opportunity to kill Acacius if he wins enough fights in Rome.

Acacius returns to Rome as a war hero. Geta and Caracalla hold gladiatorial games in the Colosseum to celebrate. Disillusioned, Acacius asks for a break with his wife Lucilla, Aurelius's daughter, but the emperors refuse and plot to conquer Persia and India. Senator Thraex hosts a party for the emperors, featuring a gladiatorial duel. After Hanno wins, he recites a verse from Virgil's Aeneid, showcasing his Roman education and raising Macrinus's suspicion. Acacius and Lucilla conspire with Thraex and Senator Gracchus to overthrow the emperors and restore the Republic.

Hanno emulates the late legendary gladiator Maximus in the Colosseum to win fights. Lucilla realizes that Hanno is her son, Lucius Verus, whom she sent away as a child to protect him from rivals for the throne. Lucilla visits Lucius and tries reconnecting with him, but he angrily rebuffs her. He resents being forced to flee Rome and is upset that her new husband caused Arishat's death. Lucilla reveals to Lucius that he is Maximus' son and tells him to use his father's strength to survive. During a naumachia in the Colosseum, Lucius leads the gladiators to victory and fires a crossbow at the spectating Acacius but fails to kill him.

Ravi, the gladiators' physician, befriends Lucius and shows him the shrine to Maximus, which includes Maximus' sword and armor. Lucilla and Acacius conspire to free Lucius as part of their plot to dethrone the emperors. However, Thraex, who owes Macrinus money, informs him of the conspiracy; Lucilla and Acacius are arrested for treason. Macrinus advises the emperors to have Acacius killed in the Colosseum and arranges for Lucius to fight him. After a brief fight, Acacius surrenders to Lucius and professes his love and respect for Lucilla and Maximus. Lucius refuses to execute Acacius, but the Praetorian Guard executes him at the emperors' command, prompting the people to riot. When Macrinus questions Lucius' refusal to kill Acacius, Lucius argues that Rome can be a better place.

Macrinus manipulates Caracalla into believing that Geta will blame him for the riot; Caracalla kills Geta with Macrinus' help. Lucilla and Lucius reconcile; she gives him her father's ring, which also belonged to Maximus and Acacius. Caracalla is increasingly delusional and names his pet monkey, Dondus, as a consul alongside Macrinus. Macrinus persuades the Senate that he can restore order and assumes control of the Praetorians. He reveals to Lucilla that he was a slave under Aurelius' rule and vows to avenge himself by becoming emperor. Macrinus convinces Caracalla to have Lucilla executed in the Colosseum, with only Lucius to defend her, hoping their deaths will trigger another riot that the Senate will defuse by executing Caracalla.

Lucius sends Ravi with the ring to request military aid from Acacius's legions outside Rome. Lucilla is brought into the Colosseum with the senators she conspired with, while Lucius rallies the gladiators to revolt against their enslavers. Armed with Maximus's sword and armor, he leads the gladiators to defend Lucilla from execution. Gracchus is killed in the onslaught, while Macrinus kills Caracalla before fatally shooting Lucilla with an arrow. Macrinus flees the rioting city with Lucius in pursuit.

Acacius' legions and Macrinus' Praetorians confront each other outside Rome. To prevent a battle, Lucius and Macrinus engage in a duel. Although Macrinus nearly kills Lucius, Lucius ultimately kills Macrinus and reveals his identity as the imperial heir, persuading both armies to unite with him for a stronger Rome. Later, Lucius mourns his parents in the Colosseum.

• Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus Aurelius / "Hanno": The grandson of the former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the protagonist of the first film.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gladiator-2-trailer-reveals-lucius-son-russell-crowe-maximus-8715524 |title=Gladiator II trailer reveals that Lucius is the son of Russell Crowe's Maximus after all |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923135241/https://ew.com/gladiator-2-trailer-reveals-lucius-son-russell-crowe-maximus-8715524 |url-status=live }} Following his father's death, Lucius was sent away from Rome as a child by his mother, Lucilla, to protect him from assassins. They have not met in around 15 years.{{Cite tweet |last= |first= |user=RottenTomatoes |number=1728873894000341300 |title=Ridley Scott gives us an inside scoop on Paul Mescal's role as Lucius in #Gladiator2. |via=Twitter |date=November 26, 2023 }} Lucius lives with his wife in Numidia but is taken prisoner by the Roman army after they invade his home and kill his wife. He is sold into slavery to become a gladiator in the Colosseum. He seeks revenge against the Romans and their general, Acacius. Alfie Tempest portrays a young Lucius.
• Pedro Pascal as General Acacius: A general of the Roman army who trained under Maximus, and Lucilla's husband. Although he lives a luxurious lifestyle in Rome, he spends most of his time away on military campaigns for the emperors. He leads an army to take over Numidia and invades Lucius' home, but is disillusioned by war and does not want to lead more men to die for the emperors.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2024/07/09/the-first-gladiator-2-trailer-is-epic-and-absolutely-stunning/ |title=The First 'Gladiator 2' Trailer Is Epic And Absolutely Stunning |website=Forbes |date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728115309/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2024/07/09/the-first-gladiator-2-trailer-is-epic-and-absolutely-stunning/ |url-status=live }} Acacius conspires with Lucilla to overthrow the emperors but is arrested and reduced to fighting as a gladiator in the Colosseum. According to Pascal, he is "a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer", serving as a symbol to Lucius of everything he hates.{{Cite web |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/paul-mescal-pedro-pascal-gladiator-ii-first-look |title=Paul Mescal vs. Pedro Pascal: A First Look at the Epic Gladiator II |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=July 1, 2024 |website=Vanity Fair |archive-date=July 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707112244/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/paul-mescal-pedro-pascal-gladiator-ii-first-look |url-status=live }}
• Connie Nielsen as Lucilla: Lucius' mother, Maximus' former lover, and Aurelius' daughter. She sent Lucius away from Rome after Maximus' death to protect him from rivals for the imperial throne. Following Maximus' death, she marries Acacius. She watches Lucius fight in the Colosseum but initially does not recognize him as her son. Due to her popularity among the people of Rome, she is feared and exploited by those in power, such as the emperors.{{Cite magazine |last=Huff |first=Lauren |date=23 September 2024 |title=Connie Nielsen breaks down her emotional return to the Colosseum in 'insane' Gladiator II |url=https://ew.com/connie-nielsen-gladiator-ii-exclusive-8714923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924013007/https://ew.com/connie-nielsen-gladiator-ii-exclusive-8714923 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=25 September 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} Nielsen reprises her role from the original film.
• Denzel Washington as Macrinus (loosely inspired by the historical figure Marcus Opellius Macrinus{{cite web |url=https://www.nerdveda.com/who-is-macrinus-gladiator-2/ |title=Who is Macrinus in Gladiator 2? His Real Name Revealed | NerdVeda |date=November 23, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://people.com/denzel-washington-gladiator-real-roman-emperor-expert-exclusive-8749061 |title=Is Denzel Washington's 'Gladiator II' Villain Based on a Real Roman Emperor? An Expert Weighs in (Exclusive) |access-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125050904/https://people.com/denzel-washington-gladiator-real-roman-emperor-expert-exclusive-8749061 | url-status=live}}): A former slave who plans to control Rome. He keeps a stable of gladiators and mentors Lucius. He also works as an arms dealer, providing weapons, food, and oil to the Roman armies in Europe. Director Ridley Scott described him as "pretty fucking cruel" to the arena fighters, with Washington adding that he "wants to be Emperor and he's willing to do anything to get there".{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/denzel-washington-gladiator-2-working-with-tony-and-ridley-scott/ |title=Denzel Washington On Working With Tony And Ridley Scott: 'Both Are Great – They Can't Miss' |access-date=August 23, 2024 |date=August 23, 2024 |website=Empire |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823121249/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/denzel-washington-gladiator-2-working-with-tony-and-ridley-scott/ |url-status=live }} Scott also noted that Macrinus has a "twinkle" of bisexuality, describing him as a gangster who started as a prisoner of war, became a gladiator, and earned his freedom.{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/movies/ridley-scott-gladiator-ii-denzel-washington.html |title=With 'Gladiator II,' Ridley Scott Returns to the Arena |access-date=November 8, 2024 |date=November 7, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108140113/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/movies/ridley-scott-gladiator-ii-denzel-washington.html |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |url-status=live }}
• Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta: The co-emperor of Rome alongside his brother, Caracalla. Scott described the pair as "damaged goods from birth" who are "almost a replay of Romulus and Remus", with another inspiration being Beavis and Butt-Head from the MTV adult cartoon of the same name.{{Cite web |last=Bentz |first=Adam |url=https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-movie-emperors-inspiration-explained/ |title=Gladiator 2's Twin Emperors Were Inspired By Beavis & Butt-Head |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=November 1, 2024 |website=Screen Rant }} Careful not to copy Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Commodus from the original film, Quinn took inspiration from Philip Seymour Hoffman's Owen Davian from Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Gary Oldman's Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from The Fifth Element (1997) for playing his character.{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Benn |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-joseph-quinn-inspired-gary-oldman-philip-seymour-hoffman-roles/ |title=Joseph Quinn In Gladiator II Was Inspired By Gary Oldman And Philip Seymour Hoffman's Wildest Roles |access-date=September 1, 2024 |date=August 23, 2024 |website=Empire |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827130918/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-joseph-quinn-inspired-gary-oldman-philip-seymour-hoffman-roles/ |url-status=live }} One inspiration for Geta's look was John Lydon.
• Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla: The co-emperor of Rome alongside his brother, Geta. He has a pet monkey named Dondus, and is less stable than his brother due to cognitive erosion in his brain.{{cite magazine |url= https://ew.com/gladiator-2-inside-epic-sequel-paul-mescal-pedro-pascal-cover-story-8731721 |title=Now entering the arena: Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal unsheathe Gladiator II |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=October 22, 2024}} Hechinger discussed with Scott about finding inspirations to build Caracalla's look from Sid Vicious,{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Fay |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/gladiator-2-emperor-wild-inspiration-sid-vicious-caracalla-exclusive/ |title=Gladiator 2's emperor actor teases the "wild" sequel and how his character is surprisingly inspired by punk star Sid Vicious |access-date=August 23, 2024 |date=July 19, 2024 |website=GamesRadar+ |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720211558/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/gladiator-2-emperor-wild-inspiration-sid-vicious-caracalla-exclusive/ |url-status=live }} with Caracalla's pet monkey serving as another inspiration for the character's "crazed behavior".
• Lior Raz as Viggo: The trainer of gladiators for Macrinus. A former gladiator, Viggo is a "tough guy" who escorts the gladiators to their fights.{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D5WU5_cGQls |title=Gladiator II - itw Lior Raz (Official video) |website=YouTube |date=October 27, 2024 |access-date= November 6, 2024}}
• Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus: A member of the Roman Senate who opposes the growing corruption of the Imperial Court. Jacobi reprises his role from the original film.
• Peter Mensah as Jugurtha: A Numidian chieftain who mentored Lucius after the latter was exiled from Rome, with whom he is later enslaved and forced to become a gladiator.
• Matt Lucas as the Master of Ceremonies: The Colosseum's public address announcer.
• Alexander Karim as Ravi: A former gladiator from Varanasi, India who earned his freedom and then chose to serve as a doctor to wounded combatants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/gladiator-ii-review-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-ridley-scott-1236057985/|title='Gladiator II' Review: Paul Mescal and a Scene-Stealing Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott's Entertaining but Imitative Sequel|first=David|last=Rooney|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 11, 2024}}
• Tim McInnerny as Senator Thraex: A gambling-addicted, corrupt member of the Roman Senate who owes Macrinus a tremendous amount of money.
• Richard McCabe as Quaestor.
• Rory McCann as Tegula: The leader of the Praetorian Guard.
• Yuval Gonen as Arishat: Lucius' wife, a skilled archer who is killed during the Roman invasion of their home.
• Alec Utgoff as Darius: Acacius' second-in-command, whom Acacius recruits to mount a coup against the corrupt emperors.
• Yann Gael as Bostar.

Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy,{{cite news|last=Perry|first=Kevin|title=Gladiator 2 viewers in uproar after learning key character is missing|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/may-calamawy-gladiator-2-scenes-cut-reason-ridley-scott-b2652352.html|work=The Independent|date=24 November 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024|archive-date=November 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124023747/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/may-calamawy-gladiator-2-scenes-cut-reason-ridley-scott-b2652352.html|url-status=live}} who was originally set to play Fortuna,{{Cite web |last=Ridgely |first=Charlie |date=2025-03-05 |title=Gladiator 2 Deleted Scenes Prove One of the Best Characters Was Completely Cut From the Movie |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-may-calamway-deleted-scenes-fortuna-character-cut-movie/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}} an "important character", appears in the film in an uncredited non-speaking background role as Macrinus' companion.{{Cite web |last=Salih |first=Swara |date=15 November 2024 |title=What happened to Palestinian-Egyptian actress May Calamawy's role in Gladiator II? |url=https://www.newarab.com/features/did-may-calamawys-scenes-get-cut-gladiator-ii |website=The New Arab |access-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123011427/https://www.newarab.com/features/did-may-calamawys-scenes-get-cut-gladiator-ii |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mahdawi |first=Arwa |date=16 November 2024 |title=What happened to Palestinian-Egyptian actor May Calamawy's role in Gladiator II? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/16/4b-movement-trump-women-media |website=The Guardian |access-date=November 26, 2024}} Some publications linked her omission to the ongoing Gaza war and her support for Palestine in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.{{efn|Multiple references:{{Cite web |last=Mustafa |first=Maysa |date=November 15, 2024 |title=Gladiator filmmakers accused of being anti-Palestinian for cutting May Calamawy scenes |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/gladiator-filmmakers-accused-being-anti-palestinian-cutting-may-calamawy |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Middle East Eye |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126042216/https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/gladiator-filmmakers-accused-being-anti-palestinian-cutting-may-calamawy |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kodmani |first=Hala |date=November 24, 2024 |title=Gladiator 2: polémique autour des scènes coupées de l'actrice d'origine palestinienne May Calamawy |trans-title=Gladiator 2: Controversy over deleted scenes of Palestinian actress May Calamawy |language=fr |url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/moyen-orient/gladiator-2-polemique-autour-des-scenes-coupees-de-lactrice-dorigine-palestinienne-may-calamawy-20241124_T2JS7D7PNNDHHOTRYBQX5FDGPA/ |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Libération|url-access=limited}}{{Cite web |last=Jansen |first=Michael |date=November 21, 2024 |title=Racism in Hollywood |url=https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2024/11/21/racism-in-hollywood |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Gulf Today}}{{cite news |last=Jimoh|first=Abdullahi|title=Gladiator II Criticised for Cutting Palestinian-Egyptian Actress May Calamawy's Role |url=https://newscentral.africa/gladiator-ii-criticised-for-cutting-palestinian-egyptian-actress-may-calamawys-role/ |publisher=News Central TV |date=November 19, 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Hood |first=Cooper |date=November 19, 2024 |title=So, What Happened To May Calamawy's Role In Gladiator 2? |url=https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-may-calamawy-role-cut-what-happened/ |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122025618/https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-may-calamawy-role-cut-what-happened/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2024 |title=May Calamawy's Scenes in Gladiator II Get Cut |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/136244/May-Calamawy%E2%80%99s-Scenes-in-Gladiator-II-Get-Cut |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Egypt Today}}{{cite news |title=Pedro Pascal supports May Calamawy after her scenes are cut from Gladiator II |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2511257/pedro-pascal-supports-may-calamawy-after-her-scenes-are-cut-from-gladiator-ii |work=The Express Tribune |date=November 22, 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2024 |title=Gladiator 2 under fire for removing scenes of Palestinian-Egyptian actress, May Calamawy |url=https://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/gladiator-2-under-fire-removing-scenes-1593900 |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Al Bawaba}}{{cite news |title=Egyptian-Palestinian actress' removal from Gladiator II sparks controversy |url=https://en.royanews.tv/news/55609 |publisher=Roya TV |date=17 November 2024|access-date=November 26, 2024}}}}

Although Macrinus displays his bisexuality in the film, a scene involving Macrinus kissing another man was reportedly deleted from the film.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/denzel-washington-gladiator-ii-cut-gay-kiss-1236176247/|title=Denzel Washington Says 'Gladiator II' Cut Gay Kiss: "I Guess They Weren't Ready For That Yet"|first=Armando|last=Tinoco|date=November 14, 2024}} However, this was later disputed by Scott.{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/columns/gladiator-2-ridley-scott-responds-denzel-washington-cut-gay-kiss-1236213011/ |title=Ridley Scott Says Denzel Washington's 'Gladiator II' Same-Sex Kiss 'Didn't Happen': 'They Acted the Moment' |website=Variety |date=November 18, 2024 |access-date=December 15, 2024}}

In June 2001, developments for a Gladiator (2000) follow-up began for either a prequel or sequel, with David Franzoni in early negotiations to once again serve as screenwriter.{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/300/300625p1.html|work=IGN|title=IGN FilmForce Exclusive: David Franzoni in Negotiations for Another Gladiator!|author=Stax|date=June 16, 2001|access-date=January 6, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226104104/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/300/300625p1.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012}} Ridley Scott's logic to make a sequel was that, even though Maximus Decimus Meridius died at the end of the original film, what happened to Lucius Verus was left ambiguous, considering the questions about his whereabouts perfect for a second film. The following year, a sequel was announced to be moving forward with John Logan serving as screenwriter. The plot, set 15 years later, included the Praetorian Guards ruling Rome, and an older Lucius—the son of Lucilla in Gladiator—searching for the truth about his biological father. Franzoni signed on as producer, alongside Douglas Wick and Walter Parkes.{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/372/372042p1.html|work=IGN|title=A Hero Will Rise ... Again|last=Linder|first=Brian|date=September 24, 2002|access-date=January 6, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226104151/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/372/372042p1.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012}} 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, the main character of the original film. The producers and Russell Crowe, who portrayed Maximus, collaboratively and extensively researched ancient Roman beliefs regarding the afterlife.{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/380/380501p1.html|work=IGN|title=A Hero Will Rise – From the Dead!|author=Stax|date=December 17, 2002|access-date=January 6, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226105315/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/380/380501p1.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012}} Although Crowe and Scott had discussed how to bring the former back by having his character resurrect, Scott concluded that Crowe would have to return either as Maximus' double or play another character. By September 2003, Scott announced that the script was completed, while confirming that the story would primarily center on Lucius.{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/437/437722p1.html|work=IGN|title=Ridley Talks Gladiator 2|author=Stax|date=September 11, 2003|access-date=January 6, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226105450/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/437/437722p1.html|archive-date=February 26, 2012}}

File:NASA Journey to Mars and “The Martian” (201508180030HQ).jpg

In May 2006, Scott stated that DreamWorks Pictures had wanted to make the sequel, but there were differing ideas for the story. Crowe had favoured a fantasy element in bringing Maximus back to life, while the studio were basing the film on Lucius as the son of Maximus and Lucilla. Scott also discussed the necessity of a more complex script with the corruption of Rome in the potential sequel.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1646784/ridley_lays_quotgladiator_2quot_to_rest/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|title=Ridley Lays "Gladiator 2" to Rest|last=Weinberg|first=Scott|date=May 8, 2006|access-date=January 6, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820200250/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1646784/ridley_lays_quotgladiator_2quot_to_rest/|archive-date=2012-08-20}} 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 story involved Maximus in purgatory, who is resurrected as an immortal warrior for the Roman gods. Maximus is sent back to Earth and tasked with ending Christianity by killing Jesus and his disciples, as Christianity was draining the power of the ancient Pagan gods. During his mission, Maximus is tricked into murdering his own son. Cursed to live forever, Maximus fights in the Crusades, World War II and the Vietnam War; with the ending revealing that in the present-day, the character now works at the Pentagon. The script was rejected and scrapped after Steven Spielberg, who had consulted on the original film, told Scott it wasn't going to work, especially as Cave had written something "too grand" due to his theatre work.{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/wtf-nick-cave-wanted-to-call-his-gladiator-2-script-christ-killer/|work=Slash Film|title=WTF: Nick Cave Wanted to Call His Gladiator 2 Script Christ Killer|last=Fischer|first=Russ|date=July 12, 2013|language=en-US|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024205020/https://www.slashfilm.com/wtf-nick-cave-wanted-to-call-his-gladiator-2-script-christ-killer/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180810-gladiator-2-was-written-and-its-mad|work=British Broadcasting Company|title=Gladiator 2: The strangest sequel never made?|last=Barber|first=Nicholas|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2023|language=en|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204113603/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180810-gladiator-2-was-written-and-its-mad|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/06/nick-cave-rejected-gladiator-script|work=The Guardian|title=Nick Cave's rejected Gladiator 2 script uncovered!|last=Michaels|first=Sean|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001620/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/06/nick-cave-rejected-gladiator-script |archive-date=2013-09-28|url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Paramount To Buy Dreamworks |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-to-buy-dreamworks/ |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=December 11, 2005 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716020514/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-to-buy-dreamworks/ |url-status=live }} Over the years, other attempts on a sequel script were made, but Scott felt that many writers "were afraid to take it on". He also said that he and everyone involved in the original film were busy so no one thought about making a sequel, but as time passed, he noticed how well Gladiator aged to the point of seemingly having "taken a life of its own" that it made him feel that he owed the audience a continuation to that story. Scott became determined to not let go of the project, deciding to do it for both creative and financial reasons if a good idea came up. In March 2017, Scott revealed that the difficulties of reintroducing Maximus had been resolved. The filmmaker expressed enthusiasm for the future of the project, while discussions with Crowe to reprise his role were ongoing.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/03/10/ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel/?preview_id=5594789|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=Ridley Scott on Gladiator sequel: 'I know how to bring him back'|last=Hibberd |first=James|date=March 11, 2017|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314194739/http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/10/ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel/?preview_id=5594789|archive-date=2017-03-14|url-status=live}}

File:Brian-Robbins 041 HD (cropped).jpg CEO Brian Robbins worked with Ridley Scott on Gladiator II.{{cite news |title=Paramount Boss on Gladiator II, Scary Sequels and Wicked Showdown |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-11-17/paramount-boss-on-gladiator-ii-scary-sequels-and-wicked-showdown |work=Bloomberg |date=October 18, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |archive-date=November 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118193017/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-11-17/paramount-boss-on-gladiator-ii-scary-sequels-and-wicked-showdown |url-status=live }}]]

In November 2018, it was announced that Paramount was greenlighting the development of a sequel. Scott was in early negotiations to once again serve as director, with a script written by Peter Craig. Scott would also serve as producer alongside Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Walter Parkes, and Laurie MacDonald, with the project being a joint-venture production between Paramount, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment, and Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/gladiator-sequel-ridley-scott-maximus-peter-craig-writing-paramount-universal-1202494152/|work=Deadline|title=Ridley Scott Moving Forward With Gladiator 2; Peter Craig To Write Script For Paramount|last=Flemming |first=Mike Jr.|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102014746/https://deadline.com/2018/11/gladiator-sequel-ridley-scott-maximus-peter-craig-writing-paramount-universal-1202494152/|archive-date=2018-11-02}} In June 2019, the producers revealed that the script took place 25 to 30 years after the first film.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/gladiator-2-update-writer-peter-craig/|work=MovieWeb|title=Gladiator 2 Is Still Happening, Top Gun 2 Writer Takes on Script|last=Sprague|first=Mike|date=June 11, 2019|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612122645/https://movieweb.com/gladiator-2-update-writer-peter-craig/|archive-date=June 12, 2019}} The plot was reported to center around Lucius.{{cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a24548025/gladiator-2-ridley-scotts-oscar-winner-is-getting-a-sequel/|work=Esquire|title=Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott's Oscar Winner Is Getting A Sequel|last=Ovenden |first=Olivia|date=February 11, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230064217/https://www.esquire.com/uk/latest-news/a24548025/gladiator-2-ridley-scotts-oscar-winner-is-getting-a-sequel/ |archive-date=December 30, 2019}} 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 the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), the two actors shared additional ideas for the film.{{cite web |title=Chris Hemsworth begs Russell Crowe: Let's make Gladiator 2! |url=https://www.newidea.com.au/gladiator-sequel-russell-crowe |work=New Idea |author=New Idea |date=April 6, 2021 |access-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106203018/https://www.newidea.com.au/gladiator-sequel-russell-crowe |url-status=live }}

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 Napoleon (2023).{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Sophie |title=Ridley Scott Says Gladiator 2 Will Be 'Ready To Go' After Napoleon Movie – Exclusive |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-ready-to-go-after-napoleon-exclusive/ |date=September 29, 2021 |website=Empire |access-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929173803/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-ready-to-go-after-napoleon-exclusive/ |url-status=live }} In November, it was revealed that David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on Napoleon, was rewriting the script.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/ridley-scott-house-of-gucci-lady-gaga-adam-driver-the-last-duel-oscar-season-1234872529/|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=November 12, 2021|title=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|access-date=March 9, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=March 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309170016/https://deadline.com/2021/11/ridley-scott-house-of-gucci-lady-gaga-adam-driver-the-last-duel-oscar-season-1234872529/|url-status=live}} Scott stated in a 2023 interview that they had struggled for 10 months to write the script four years previously, until they revisited the idea of Lucius as the "survivor" of the original film.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-paul-mescal-normal-people-exclusive/|title=Ridley Scott couldn't stop thinking about Paul Mescal after watching Normal People, so he cast him in Gladiator 2|date=October 6, 2023|first=Jamie|last=Graham|website=Total Film|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008015124/https://www.gamesradar.com/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-paul-mescal-normal-people-exclusive/|archive-date=October 8, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=October 8, 2023}} According to Scott, the premise for the sequel began with the emperors Caracalla and Geta. He said, "After Commodus's death, there was a scramble for the chair, and out of that eventually came a man who became the father of the two princes... One of them was just this side of being dysfunctional, a lunatic. The other one tried to control his brother. So that state of constant disagreement and fluctuating personalities was where we began."{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gladiator-2-ridley-scott-sees-our-future-in-the-fallen-roman-empire/ |title=Gladiator 2: Ridley Scott Sees Our Future in the Fallen Roman Empire |publisher=Den of Geek |date=October 17, 2024 |access-date=October 20, 2024}}

Originally greenlit with a production budget of {{USD|165 million|long=no}}, the cost of the film increased to a reported {{USD|310 million|long=no}} by the time filming wrapped, though Paramount insisted the net cost did not exceed {{USD|250 million|long=no}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel-production-budget-1235830460/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223182445/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel-production-budget-1235830460/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |title=Rambling Roundup: Ridley Scott's Very Expensive Roman Holiday |website=The Hollywood Reporter |first1=Samuel |last1=Braslow |first2=Kevin |last2=Dolak |first3=Julian |last3=Sancton |date=February 23, 2023 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} Additionally, Ridley Scott's desire to have a rhino battle in the original film, which went unrealized due to cost, was included in the sequel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ridley-scott-has-wanted-that-rhino-battle-from-the-gladiator-2-trailer-for-25-years|last=Cripe|first=Michael|date=July 9, 2024|title=Ridley Scott Has Wanted That Rhino Battle From the Gladiator 2 Trailer for 25 Years|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=IGN|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802011507/https://www.ign.com/articles/ridley-scott-has-wanted-that-rhino-battle-from-the-gladiator-2-trailer-for-25-years|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-movie-regret-doug-wick-rhino-russell-crowe/|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|date=June 11, 2020|title=Gladiator Producer Reveals His Biggest Regret About the Film|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=Comicbook.com|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802011507/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-movie-regret-doug-wick-rhino-russell-crowe/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-a-painting-wooed-ridley-scott-directing-gladiator-1299100/ |last=Davids|first=Brian|date=June 18, 2020|title=How a Painting Wooed Ridley Scott into Directing 'Gladiator'|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802011507/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-a-painting-wooed-ridley-scott-directing-gladiator-1299100/amp/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czk0d90p84mo|last=Bushby|first=Helen|date=July 9, 2024|title=Gladiator II: Paul Mescal battles a rhino in upcoming film|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=BBC|archive-date=August 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802011507/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czk0d90p84mo|url-status=live}} November 14, Deadline Hollywood reported the film's net budget to be {{USD|210 million|long=no}}{{cite web |author1=Mike Fleming Jr |title='Gladiator II': Ridley Scott, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal & Connie Nielsen Reveal How All Roads Led To Ancient Rome |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/gladiator-ii-feature-ridley-scott-pedro-pascal-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-connie-nielsen-1236172358/ |website=Deadline |date=14 November 2024 |quote=costing about $210 million net budget |access-date=November 14, 2024 |archive-date=November 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114215005/https://deadline.com/2024/11/gladiator-ii-feature-ridley-scott-pedro-pascal-paul-mescal-denzel-washington-connie-nielsen-1236172358/ |url-status=live }} and November 24 stated the budget was {{USD|250 million|long=no}}. The production received €46.7 million in film incentive rebates from Malta, setting a record for the largest rebate issued for a film production in the European Union.{{cite news |last1=Zammit |first1=Mark Laurence |title=Gladiator film to be given €47 million in taxpayers' money |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/gladiator-film-given-46-million-taxpayers-money.1050361 |work=Times of Malta |publisher=Allied Newspapers Limited |date=August 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822155542/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/gladiator-film-given-46-million-taxpayers-money.1050361 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |language=en-gb |url-status=live}}

{{Multiple image

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| image1 = Paul Mescal 44.MVFF.jpg

| alt1 = Irish actor Paul Mescal at the screening of The Lost Daughter at the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival on 16th October 2021.

| image2 = Pedro Pascal by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| alt2 = Pedro Pascal speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.

| image3 = Denzel Washington 2018.jpg

| alt3 = Denzel Washington in 2018

| image4 = Connie Nielsen by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| alt4 = Connie Nielsen speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.

| image5 = Sir Derek Jacobi.jpg

| alt5 = Sir Derek Jacobi - BFI Southbank - Sunday 13th November 2022

| image6 = Joseph Quinn (53673388589) cropped.jpg

| alt6 = Joseph Quinn on the red carpet at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at the 2024 CinemaCon at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

| image7 = Sundance Film Festival 2024 - Fred Hechinger-104A1882 (cropped).jpg

| alt7 = Fred Hechinger at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024

| footer = (Clockwise from top left) Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, and Denzel Washington

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In January 2023, Paul Mescal was cast in the film as the adult Lucius (originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark), 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.{{Cite web|date=January 6, 2023|last=Kroll|first=Justin|title=Paul Mescal To Star In Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel For Paramount|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/gladiator-2-star-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-paramount-1235212512/|access-date=March 4, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106192944/https://deadline.com/2023/01/gladiator-2-star-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-paramount-1235212512/|url-status=live}} Scott was unaware of Mescal's fame until he watched his performance in the BBC Three/Hulu miniseries Normal People, which he came across in his need for a "bedtime story". Shortly after, the story for Gladiator II was completed, and Scott ultimately cast Mescal in the lead role after a brief Zoom call. Austin Butler, Richard Madden, Timothée Chalamet and Miles Teller had also been considered for the lead role.{{cite tweet |last=Kroll |first=Justin |user=krolljvar |number=1611471749098663937 |title=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 |via=Twitter |date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310040902/https://twitter.com/krolljvar/status/1611471749098663937 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/making-of-gladiator-ii-ridley-scott-paul-mescal-1236066080/ | title=Making of 'Gladiator II': Rome Wasn't Re-Built in a Day — It Took Nearly 25 Years | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=November 21, 2024 }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/features/brian-robbins-paramount-pictures-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-tom-cruise-1235679142/ |title=After a Decade in Limbo, Brian Robbins Is Giving Paramount a Makeover With 'Ninja Turtles,' Tom Cruise and 'Gladiator 2' |website=Variety |first=Brian |last=Lang |date=July 26, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727235736/https://variety.com/2023/film/features/brian-robbins-paramount-pictures-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-tom-cruise |url-status=live }} Having seen the original film when he was 13 with his father, Mescal was invited for breakfast by Lucy Fisher and Douglas Wick, who informed him about the sequel's casting, proceeding to tell Scott about his physical capabilities due to playing Gaelic football in his youth while Scott found a striking resemblance to Richard Harris, who played Marcus Aurelius in the original film, so he opted to cast Mescal despite his newcomer status under the pretext he launched careers likewise for Sigourney Weaver and Brad Pitt when he cast them in his films Alien (1979) and Thelma & Louise (1991) respectively. To prepare for the role, Mescal didn't get in touch with Crowe to avoid audiences potentially thinking the film will define his career, trained physically, ate sweet potato and ground beef to put on 18 pounds of muscle and remembered Roman history he studied at school,{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/paul-mescal-enters-the-arena-in-gladiator-ii |title=Paul Mescal Enters the Arena in Gladiator II |date=October 15, 2024 |access-date=October 16, 2024}} in addition to practice fighting choreography, horse training and sword fighting.

In March 2023, Barry Keoghan entered negotiations to join the cast in the role of Emperor Caracalla while Denzel Washington joined the cast.{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Barry Keoghan In Talks To Join Gladiator Sequel At Paramount |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/barry-keoghan-gladiator-sequel-paramount-1235302286/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=16 March 2023 |date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316204107/https://deadline.com/2023/03/barry-keoghan-gladiator-sequel-paramount-1235302286/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Denzel Washington Reuniting With Ridley Scott On 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/denzel-washington-gladiator-sequel-cast-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-1235302321/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628112049/https://deadline.com/2023/03/denzel-washington-gladiator-sequel-cast-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-1235302321/ |url-status=live }} Regarding Scott and his brother Tony as "great filmmakers" who never miss, Washington accepted the role out of interest to work with the inspirational Scott again after their previous collaboration in American Gangster (2007). Additionally, John Mathieson was set to return as cinematographer for the film.{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Angelique |title=Denzel Washington in Talks to Join Ridley Scott's Gladiator Sequel |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/denzel-washington-ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel-1235557698/ |website=Variety |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428194138/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/denzel-washington-ridley-scott-gladiator-sequel-1235557698/ |url-status=live }} Scott did not conceive Macrinus with Washington in mind, but felt inspired to cast him after seeing Jean-Léon Gérôme's painting Moorish Bath, which depicted a black bearded man with a jeweled Dizzy Gillespie-like hat in orange and blue silk, inspiring the character's appearance, plus Washington's status as a method actor. 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 Geta.{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=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 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/paramounts-gladiator-sequels-connie-nielsen-closes-lucilla-stranger-things-joseph-quinn-emperor-caracalla-1235340912/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509185446/https://deadline.com/2023/04/paramounts-gladiator-sequels-connie-nielsen-closes-lucilla-stranger-things-joseph-quinn-emperor-caracalla-1235340912/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Galuppo |first1=Mia |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |title=Stranger Things Star Joseph Quinn Set for Gladiator Sequel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gladiator-sequel-casts-joseph-quinn-1235321581/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=28 April 2023 |date=April 28, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509185300/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gladiator-sequel-casts-joseph-quinn-1235321581/ |url-status=live }} 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 Caracalla after Keoghan had to drop out over scheduling conflicts with Saltburn (2023). Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gracchus from the first film.{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Pedro Pascal Joins Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' Sequel At Paramount |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/pedro-pascal-ridley-scotts-gladiator-paramount-1235352214/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=1 May 2023 |date=May 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621075529/https://deadline.com/2023/05/pedro-pascal-ridley-scotts-gladiator-paramount-1235352214/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=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 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/paramounts-gladiator-sequel-moon-knight-may-calamawy-white-lotus-fred-hechinger-emperor-geta-1235372228/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 18, 2023 |date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518211050/https://deadline.com/2023/05/paramounts-gladiator-sequel-moon-knight-may-calamawy-white-lotus-fred-hechinger-emperor-geta-1235372228/ |url-status=live |quote=While many of the leading roles were straight offers, Scott wanted to do a similar search he did for the Mescal part for the role that Calamawy ultimately landed. Given the importance of the character to the story, Scott wanted a thorough search, and following multiple auditions Calamawy landed the part.}} Similarly to Mescal, Pascal underwent intense gladiator training for his role, which he found challenging, but deemed the experience "the most exciting" of his career due to growing up with Scott's films. In December, Hounsou announced that, despite initially being involved, he would not be returning for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts.{{cite web |last1=Italiano |first1=Eric |title=Djimon Hounsou Says He Is Not Returning For The Gladiator Sequel (Exclusive) |url=https://brobible.com/culture/article/djimon-hounsou-not-returning-for-gladiator-sequel/ |website=BroBible |access-date=15 December 2023 |date=December 15, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215190529/https://brobible.com/culture/article/djimon-hounsou-not-returning-for-gladiator-sequel/ |url-status=live }}

Production was expected to begin in May 2023, with Ouarzazate, Morocco set as a filming location.{{cite web |title=Gladiator movie sequel to be filmed in Morocco's Ouarzazate |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230108-gladiator-movie-sequel-to-be-filmed-in-moroccos-ouarzazate/ |website=Middle East Monitor |access-date=29 April 2023 |date=January 8, 2023 |archive-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108125238/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230108-gladiator-movie-sequel-to-be-filmed-in-moroccos-ouarzazate/ |url-status=live }} Set construction began in the city in April.{{cite web |last1=Zouiten |first1=Sara |title=Construction Begins on Giant Arena for Gladiator 2 in Morocco's Ouarzazate |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/04/354950/construction-begins-on-giant-arena-for-gladiator-2-in-moroccos-ouarzazate |website=Morocco World News |access-date=29 April 2023 |date=April 12, 2023 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413080029/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/04/354950/construction-begins-on-giant-arena-for-gladiator-2-in-moroccos-ouarzazate |url-status=live }} 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,{{cite web |last1=Rajput |first1=Priyanca |title=Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 enters production |url=https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/06/08/ridley-scotts-gladiator-2-enters-production |website=KFTV.com |date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609000807/https://www.kftv.com/news/2023/06/08/ridley-scotts-gladiator-2-enters-production |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/joseph-quinn-breakthrough-year-gladiator-2-fantastic-four-game-of-thrones-8631575|title=Inside Joseph Quinn's breakthrough year: Gladiator II, Fantastic Four, and more|date=April 17, 2024|first=Nick|last=Romano|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423131001/https://ew.com/joseph-quinn-breakthrough-year-gladiator-2-fantastic-four-game-of-thrones-8631575|archive-date=April 23, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=April 23, 2024}} with a few early sequences being shot in Morocco before flying to Malta to shoot the rest of the film. Mescal felt some nerves over shooting in the assembled Colosseum and shooting scenes with Washington. Scott purposely took Mescal to the Colosseum set so he could familiarize himself with it, as Mescal hadn't done any big studio movies before. An accident involving fire during filming on June 7 injured six crew members.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Six Gladiator 2 Crewmembers Injured In Stunt Accident On Set |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/gladiator-sequel-stunt-accident-crew-injuries-1235413384/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=9 June 2023 |date=June 9, 2023 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609231959/https://deadline.com/2023/06/gladiator-sequel-stunt-accident-crew-injuries-1235413384/ |url-status=live }} Filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Umberto |title=Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From Deadpool 3 to Mission: Impossible 8 (Photos) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=14 July 2023 |date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714014112/https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |url-status=live }} For a fight sequence, a rhinoceros was created via 3D printing controlled by radio remote, but filming the scene took two or three days and affected Mescal's physicality due to the temperature. Filming resumed on December 4 in Malta,{{cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Brent |last2=Tangcay |first2=Jazz |title=Gladiator 2 Resuming Production in Malta Next Week (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/gladiator-2-resumes-production-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-denzel-washington-1235785863/ |website=Variety |access-date=28 November 2023 |date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128023529/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/gladiator-2-resumes-production-paul-mescal-ridley-scott-denzel-washington-1235785863/ |url-status=live }} and wrapped on January 17, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Gearan |first1=Hannah |title=Gladiator 2 Completes Filming, New Star Celebrates With BTS Ridley Scott Image |url=https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-movie-filming-update-progress-ridley-scott/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=February 26, 2024 |date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716020517/https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-movie-filming-update-progress-ridley-scott/ |url-status=live }} Filming also took place on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke, Sussex in June 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-11 |title=Gladiator II filming crews and Paul Mescal spotted in Sussex |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24379608.paul-mescal-spotted-filming-gladiator-ii-sussex/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Argus |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612063536/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24379608.paul-mescal-spotted-filming-gladiator-ii-sussex/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Gladiator II (soundtrack)}}

Harry Gregson-Williams composed the score for the film, taking over from Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard who had scored the first film.{{cite web |last1=Ritman |first1=Alex |title=Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator 2' Taps Hans Zimmer Protégé Harry Gregson-Williams as Composer (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/gladiator-2-ridley-scott-composer-harry-gregson-williams-hans-zimmer-1235862580/ |website=Variety |access-date=January 5, 2024 |date=January 5, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105161558/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/gladiator-2-ridley-scott-composer-harry-gregson-williams-hans-zimmer-1235862580/ |url-status=live }} Zimmer decided not to return because he did not want to repeat his work from the first film. In an interview with Curzon, he said that the film was "in really good hands" with Gregson-Williams, who had started his career as Zimmer's assistant.{{cite web |last1=Warmann |first1=Amon |url=https://www.curzon.com/journal/hans-zimmer-interview/ |title=HANS ZIMMER: 'I HAD TO CHANGE STYLE BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE WAS DOING MINE' |website=Curzon |date=6 March 2024 |access-date=15 June 2024 |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615063632/https://www.curzon.com/journal/hans-zimmer-interview/ |url-status=live }}

Gregson-Williams wrote 100 minutes of original score for the film, and used some of Zimmer and Gerrard's musical cues from the first film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/gladiator-ii-composer-harry-gregson-williams-interview-sound-and-screen-1236165215/ |title='Gladiator II' Composer Harry Gregson-Williams Sought Mentor Hans Zimmer's Approval To Tackle Sequel & Borrow Cues From The First Film – Sound & Screen Film |website= Deadline |date=November 2, 2024 |access-date=November 2, 2024}}

Gladiator II had its world premiere in Sydney on 30 October 2024.{{cite web|url=https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/paul-mescal-stunned-by-detail-at-gladiator-ii-sydney-premiere-absolutely-mad-235858167.html|title=Paul Mescal stunned by detail at Gladiator II Sydney premiere: 'Absolutely mad'|first=Marni|last=Dixit|website=Yahoo! Lifestyle|date=October 31, 2024|access-date=November 12, 2024}} It was released more widely in Australia, Italy and New Zealand on November 14.{{cite web|last=Choy|first=Rachel|url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/gladiator-ii-release-date-trailer-plot-cast-paul-mescal/|title=Gladiator II: Everything We Know Including Trailer, Plot, Release Date & Cast|date=July 10, 2024|website=Pedestrian.tv|publisher=Nine Entertainment Co.|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812035321/https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/gladiator-ii-release-date-trailer-plot-cast-paul-mescal/|url-status=live}} It was released in the United Kingdom and some other territories the following day, and in the United States and Canada on November 22. Universal Pictures declined to co-finance the sequel or distribute it overseas as it had the first film, leaving only Paramount Pictures as the worldwide distributor.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/gladiator-2-release-date-change/ |title='Gladiator 2' Just Won the Battle for an Earlier Release Date Internationally |website=Collider |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=June 19, 2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619235812/https://collider.com/gladiator-2-release-date-change/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=June 19, 2024 |title=Paramount Goes Epic At CineEurope With 'Gladiator II' Footage; Highlights 'A Quiet Place: Day One' & 'Transformers One' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/paramount-gladiator-2-a-quiet-place-day-one-transformers-cineeurope-1235977955/ |access-date=June 29, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620011308/https://deadline.com/2024/06/paramount-gladiator-2-a-quiet-place-day-one-transformers-cineeurope-1235977955/ |url-status=live }} It was previously scheduled for a global release on November 22.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/gladiator-2-release-date-1235249039/ |title='Gladiator 2′ Gets Pre-Thanksgiving 2024 Release |website=Deadline Hollywood |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705122650/https://deadline.com/2023/02/gladiator-2-release-date-1235249039/ |url-status=live}}

On July 1, 2024, it had been announced that the film's release date would be shared with the first of the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked (from original film's co-distributor, Universal), whose date was moved from November 27 to avoid competition with Moana 2. This sparked speculation on whether pitting the two films together could lead to a scenario similar to the Barbenheimer phenomenon, which was a result of Barbie and Oppenheimer both being released on July 21, 2023.{{cite magazine |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |date=2 July 2024 |title=If 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator 2' Is the Next 'Barbenheimer,' It Needs a Better Portmanteau Than 'Wickiator' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/wicked-gladiator-2-same-release-date-barbenheimer-1235051572/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703101340/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/wicked-gladiator-2-same-release-date-barbenheimer-1235051572/ |url-status=live }} On July 10, 2024, Mescal called the double release "Glicked" and voiced his support for the two films to be shown as a double feature, saying "It would be amazing 'cause I think the films couldn't be more polar opposites and it worked in that context previously. So, fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend".{{cite web |last1=Bergeson |first1=Samantha |title=Paul Mescal Anoints the Next 'Barbenheimer' with 'Gladiator 2' and 'Wicked' Opening Same Day: 'Glicked' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/paul-mescal-gladiator-2-wicked-double-feature-glicked-1235024053/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=10 July 2024 |date=10 July 2024 |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716020555/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/paul-mescal-gladiator-2-wicked-double-feature-glicked-1235024053/ |url-status=live}}

Gladiator II was released on digital download on December 24, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Lammer |first1=Tim |title='Gladiator II' Gets Digital Streaming Premiere Date |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/12/14/gladiator-ii-gets-digital-streaming-premiere-date/ |website=Forbes |access-date=December 14, 2024 |date=December 14, 2024 |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241215010728/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/12/14/gladiator-ii-gets-digital-streaming-premiere-date/ |url-status=live}} It is set to be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc on March 4, 2025.{{cite web |title=Gladiator II 4K Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=35708 |website=Blu-ray.com |access-date=21 January 2025 |date=23 December 2024}}

Much like the original film, Gladiator II was rated R by the Motion Picture Association due to "strong bloody violence".{{Cite web |last=Rigdely |first=Charlie |title=Gladiator II Rating Confirms the Colosseum Will Get Bloody |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-movie-rating-r-ridley-scott-colosseum/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=28 August 2024 |date=27 August 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828132451/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-movie-rating-r-ridley-scott-colosseum/ |url-status=live }} Unlike other past films of his, Scott has stated that Gladiator II will not receive a director's cut, as he has earned the right to have his final cut and removed some scenes during filming so he did not need to do so after finishing the film.{{Cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Tamera |last2=Weintraub |first2=Steven |url=https://collider.com/ridley-scott-gladiator-2-stanley-kubric-2001-space-odyssey/ |title="It Warns Us What Happens If We Allow AI Into Our Universe": Ridley Scott Explains How '2001 A Space Odyssey' Predetermined The Future |access-date=November 5, 2024 |date=November 3, 2024 |website=Collider }}

In Australia, two cuts of the film were released; the original, uncut MA15+ version (with the consumer advice "strong themes and violence"),{{Cite web |url=https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/gladiator-ii-1|title=Gladiator II |date=November 21, 2024 |website=Australian Classification Board |access-date=November 28, 2024}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and the edited M-rated version ("animal cruelty, blood and gore, injury detail and violence") where blood spray is either trimmed down or removed.{{Cite web |last=Van Reeth |first=Magali |url=https://www.signis.world/news/media/film-reviews/15-11-2024/gladiator-ii-by-ridley-scott/ |title=GLADIATOR II by Ridley Scott |date=November 15, 2024 |website=SIGNIS |access-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-date=November 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118095202/https://www.signis.world/news/media/film-reviews/15-11-2024/gladiator-ii-by-ridley-scott/ |url-status=live }} The MA15+ rating was reinstated for the uncut home media release, with a revised consumer advice of "strong animal cruelty, violence and blood and gore".{{Cite web |url=https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/gladiator-ii-home-entertainment-version|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209223222/https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/gladiator-ii-home-entertainment-version|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2024|title=Gladiator II (Home Entertainment Version)|date=November 25, 2024 |website=Australian Classification Board |access-date=December 10, 2024}}

Footage of the film screened at the CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas included scenes of Joseph Quinn as Geta 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. In June of that year, Scott showcased an extended clip of the film featuring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Quinn.{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/paramount-gladiator-2-a-quiet-place-day-one-transformers-cineeurope-1235977955/ |title=Paramount Goes Epic At CineEurope With 'Gladiator II' Footage; Highlights 'A Quiet Place: Day One' & 'Transformers One' |date=June 19, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=July 8, 2024 |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620011308/https://deadline.com/2024/06/paramount-gladiator-2-a-quiet-place-day-one-transformers-cineeurope-1235977955/ |url-status=live }}

A poster for the film was released on July 8, 2024, with a trailer released the following day.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Timothy |title=First Gladiator 2 Poster Released Ahead of Trailer Debut |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-first-poster-trailer-release-date/ |website=ComicBook.com |date=8 July 2024 |access-date=8 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=July 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708180620/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/gladiator-2-first-poster-trailer-release-date/ |url-status=live }} The trailer would also reportedly be attached to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which was released on July 26, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/gladiator-2-trailer-release/ |title=Here's When the 'Gladiator 2' Trailer Will Drop [Exclusive] |website=Collider |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625005645/https://collider.com/gladiator-2-trailer-release/ |url-status=live }} Jennifer Ouellette of Ars Technica said the trailer indicated the film "promises to be just as much of a visual feast, as a new crop of power players (plus a couple of familiar faces) clash over the future of Rome".{{Cite web |last=Ouellette |first=Jennifer |date=2024-07-09 |title=It's another bloody power struggle for Rome's future in Gladiator II trailer |url=https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/07/its-another-bloody-power-struggle-for-romes-future-in-gladiator-ii-trailer/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710000900/https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/07/its-another-bloody-power-struggle-for-romes-future-in-gladiator-ii-trailer/ |url-status=live }} Rather than using an orchestral score, the first trailer used "No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z and Kanye West, which caused a backlash among film fans who said it was too modern of a song choice. Some justified this choice of music by citing the trailer for the first Gladiator which had used "Bawitdaba" by Kid Rock.{{cite news | date = July 10, 2024 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/gladiator-2-trailer-no-church-in-the-wild-song-b2577211.html | access-date = July 13, 2024 | newspaper = The Independent | title = Gladiator 2 trailer causes ridiculous debate among film fans | first = Jacob | last = Stolworthy | archive-date = July 12, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240712134936/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/gladiator-2-trailer-no-church-in-the-wild-song-b2577211.html | url-status = live }} Screen Rant criticized how the second trailer spoiled the plot twist of Maximus being Lucius' father; while a common fan theory since the first film's release, Adam Bentz found it questionable to reveal in a trailer, as it could have been emotionally impactful for audiences like it was for Mescal when he found out his character's relationship with the original's protagonist.{{cite news | date = October 22, 2024 | url = https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-maximus-father-twist-paul-mescal-response/ | access-date = October 23, 2024 | newspaper = Screen Rant | title = "Oh Sh*t": Gladiator II's Paul Mescal Reveals How He Reacted To The Maximus Twist | first = Adam | last = Bentz }}

On the first day of the 2024 NFL season, Paramount Pictures and Pepsi announced a campaign cross-promoting the film with the soft drink's sponsorship of the National Football League. A series of advertisements featured football stars Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce as "Gridiron Gladiators", with Megan Thee Stallion appearing as Empress Megan.{{cite press release |author= |title=PEPSI® KICKS OFF 2024 NFL SEASON WITH COLOSSAL CAMPAIGN INSPIRED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES' UPCOMING "GLADIATOR II", STARRING MEGAN THEE STALLION AND NFL SUPERSTARS JOSH ALLEN, DERRICK HENRY, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, AND TRAVIS KELCE |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pepsi-kicks-off-2024-nfl-season-with-colossal-campaign-inspired-by-paramount-pictures-upcoming-gladiator-ii-starring-megan-thee-stallion-and-nfl-superstars-josh-allen-derrick-henry-justin-jefferson-and-travis-kelce-302238558.html |location=Purchase, New York |publisher=PepsiCo |agency=PR Newswire |date=2024-09-05 |access-date=2024-09-05}}

On October 4, 2024, Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that the movie would sponsor that year's King of Pro-Wrestling event on October 14, which is slated to be the first since 2019.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Andrew |title=Gladiator II movie starring Denzel Washington named main sponsor of NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/10/04/gladiator-ii-movie-starring-denzel-washington-named-main-sponsor-of-njpw-king-of-pro-wrestling/ |access-date=October 4, 2024 |work=POST Wrestling |date=October 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004110339/https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/10/04/gladiator-ii-movie-starring-denzel-washington-named-main-sponsor-of-njpw-king-of-pro-wrestling/ |url-status=live }}

On 1 November 2024, at Lucca Comics & Games 2024, to promote the film in Italian cinemas, Francesco Totti played a Roman centurion.{{cite news |title=Il Gladiatore II e Francesco Totti sorprendono il Lucca Comics & Games |url=https://boxofficebiz.it/news/il-gladiatore-ii-e-francesco-totti-sorprendono-il-lucca-comics-games/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |agency=boxofficebiz.it |publisher=boxofficebiz.it |date=1 November 2024}}{{cite news |title=Francesco Totti gladiatore al Lucca Comics: sorpresa in piazza San Michele |url=https://www.lanazione.it/lucca/comics/francesco-totti-mybj6kn5 |access-date=2 November 2024 |agency=lanazione.it |publisher=lanazione.it |date=1 November 2024}} On November 11, 2024, Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. attended the film's premiere in London as part of a collaboration with Paramount to promote the film, with the film's actors Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger joining the team at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The film's logo appeared on Ferrari's car for the Grand Prix itself.{{cite news | date = November 11, 2024 | url = https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formula1/articles/scuderia-ferrari-hp-celebrates-together-with-paramount-the-release-of-gladiator-ii | access-date = November 18, 2024 | work = Scuderia Ferrari | title = Scuderia Ferrari HP celebrates together with Paramount the release of Gladiator II }}

Gladiator II grossed {{USD|172.4 million|long=no}} in the United States and Canada, and {{USD|289.7 million|long=no}} in other territories, for a worldwide total of {{USD|462.2 million|long=no}}.

In the United States and Canada, Gladiator II was projected to gross {{USD|60 million|long=no}} from 3,500 theaters in its opening weekend. It was released alongside Wicked, which was compared to 2023's Barbenheimer due to the films' contrasting target audiences.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/wicked-gladiator-box-office-preview-1236181463/|title='Wicked' To Win Over The World With $165M-$200M Opening; 'Gladiator II' Passing $100M Overseas Today With An Eye On $60M+ U.S. Weekend – Box Office Preview|date=November 19, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 19, 2024|archive-date=November 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120022203/https://deadline.com/2024/11/wicked-gladiator-box-office-preview-1236181463/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/long-range-forecast-gladiator-ii-goes-to-battle-at-the-box-office/|title=Long Range Forecast: Gladiator II Goes to Battle at the Box Office|date=October 24, 2024|website=Boxoffice Pro|access-date=November 11, 2024}} The film made {{USD|22 million|long=no}} on its first day, including {{USD|6.5 million|long=no}} from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to {{USD|55.5 million|long=no}}, finishing second behind Wicked. It marked the biggest opening weekend of Denzel Washington's career, surpassing American Gangster ({{USD|43.5 million|long=no}} in 2007), and also topped 8 Mile ({{USD|51.2 million|long=no}} in 2002) for the best opening for a November R-rated film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/box-office-wicked-gladiator-ii-1236184897/|title='Wicked' & 'Gladiator II' AKA 'Glicked' Fuel $205M Combined Weekend, Best Pre-Thanksgiving Frame In 11 Years — Sunday AM Box Office Update|date=November 24, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 24, 2024|archive-date=November 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123235153/https://deadline.com/2024/11/box-office-wicked-gladiator-ii-1236184897/|url-status=live}} In its second weekend the film made {{USD|30.7 million|long=no}} (and a total of {{USD|44 million|long=no}} over the five day Thanksgiving frame), dropping 44% and finishing third behind Moana 2 and Wicked.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/box-office-moana-2-wicked-thanksgiving-1236189131/|title= Chee Hoo Mania At The Box Office: 'Moana 2' $221M 5-Day Opening Is Best 5-Day & Thanksgiving Ever; 'Wicked' Wows $117M+ & 'Gladiator II' $44M – Sunday Update |date=December 1, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 1, 2024}} In its third weekend the film made $12.5 million, remaining in third place.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 8, 2024 |title='Moana 2', 'Wicked' & 'Gladiator II' Driving Record Post-Thanksgiving Frame Near $132M – Sunday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/box-office-moana-2-wicked-pushpa-2-1236196509/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |access-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207214609/https://deadline.com/2024/12/box-office-moana-2-wicked-pushpa-2-1236196509/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/box-office-moana-2-wins-weekend-a24s-y2k-craters-1236242608/|title=Box Office: 'Moana 2' Scores $52 Million in Second Weekend, A24's 'Y2K' Craters With $2 Million Debut|author=Rebecca Rubin|work=Variety|date=December 8, 2024|access-date=December 8, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208174755/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/box-office-moana-2-wins-weekend-a24s-y2k-craters-1236242608/|url-status=live}}

The film was released in 63 territories one week ahead of its U.S. release and earned {{USD|87 million|long=no}}, the biggest opening weekend of Ridley Scott's career.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/18/gladiator-ii-takes-87m-to-break-ridley-scott-opening-box-office-record|title=Gladiator II takes $87m to break Ridley Scott opening box-office record|date= November 18, 2024|first=Catherine|last=Shoard|website=The Guardian|access-date=November 19, 2024}} The second weekend had Gladiator II earning {{USD|106 million|long=no}} worldwide to finish second behind Wicked, with its {{USD|50.5 million|long=no}} internationally being slightly higher than the {{USD|50.2 million|long=no}} of its competitor.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/wicked-global-box-office-opening-gladiator-2-international-box-office-1236186177/|title='Wicked' Casts $164M+ Spell In Global Opening; 'Gladiator II' Thunders To $221M WW After 2nd Offshore Frame – International Box Office|publisher=Deadline|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|date=November 24, 2024|access-date=December 1, 2024|archive-date=December 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201191618/https://deadline.com/2024/11/wicked-global-box-office-opening-gladiator-2-international-box-office-1236186177/|url-status=live}}

File:Denzel Washington in 2024.jpg

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|71|6.4|380|Echoing its predecessor while upping the bloodsport and camp, Gladiator II is an action extravaganza that derives much of its strength and honor from Denzel Washington's scene-stealing performance.|ref=yes|access-date=January 19, 2025}}{{cbignore}} {{Metacritic film prose|64|62|ref=yes|access-date=December 11, 2024}}{{cbignore}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale (down from the first film's A), while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 77% overall positive score, with 64% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.

Christopher Campbell at Rotten Tomatoes summarized the reviews as having praised the action, performances, story, and visuals, and said some argued that "plot-wise it's actually too similar to its predecessor".{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2024 |author=Christopher Campbell |title=Gladiator II First Reviews: The Grand Spectacle of Action and Intrigue You're Hoping For |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/gladiator-ii-first-reviews-the-grand-spectacle-of-action-and-intrigue-youre-hoping-for/ |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112155445/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/gladiator-ii-first-reviews-the-grand-spectacle-of-action-and-intrigue-youre-hoping-for/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-12 }} Nick Hyman at Metacritic stated that "most critics also feel that the film lives in the shadow of the more emotional and ultimately superior original."{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |author=Nick Hyman |title=Best Movies Directed by Ridley Scott, Ranked |url=https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/best-ridley-scott-movies/2/ |website=Metacritic |access-date=2024-01-22 }} Early reactions from the film's first screening at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on October 18, 2024, were positive. Critics praised Scott's direction, the set pieces, battle sequences and Mescal's and Washington's performances, mentioning that Scott and Washington could be nominated for the Academy Awards, but a few felt the film lacked an "emotional punch" when compared to the original film.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Carly |title=Gladiator II First Reactions From Early Screening: "A Total Spectacle With a Pulsating Pace" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gladiator-2-first-reactions-screening-1236035517/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 18, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=2024-10-20 |title=Gladiator II First Reactions Call Ridley Scott's Sequel "Unhinged," "Deliciously Cinematic And Machiavellian": "Can't Believe Ridley Pulled This Off" |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/gladiator-ii-first-reactions-ridley-scott-sequel-unhinged-deliciously-cinematic-machiavellian-1236121555/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Gladiator II First Reactions: Ridley Scott Has Done It Again |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/gladiator-ii-first-reactions-ridley-scott-has-done-it-again/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2024-10-22 |language=en-US}} Film critic Scott Menzel deemed the film Scott's best since The Martian (2015), a "big, bloody and bad ass action spectacle" that builds upon the original film's legacy.

Filmmakers Christopher Nolan and Hannah Fidell named it among their favorite films of 2024.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/lists/christopher-nolan-gladiator-2-michael-mann-barry-jenkins/the-fire-inside-2/ | title=Directors Pick Favorite Films of 2024: Christopher Nolan Praises 'Gladiator II,' Barry Jenkins on 'Nickel Boys,' Jeff Nichols on 'Sing Sing' and More | date=December 18, 2024 }}{{cite news |last1=O'Flat |first1=Chris |title=65 Directors Pick Their Favorite Films of 2024 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/directors-pick-best-films-2024/ |access-date=30 December 2024 |work=IndieWire |date=30 December 2024 |archive-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230231638/https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/directors-pick-best-films-2024/ |url-status=live }}

Some inaccuracies include the siege of a Numidian city by Roman triremes and the presence of sharks in a naumachia.{{Cite web |last= Peitzman |first=Louis|date=November 21, 2024 |title=Ask a Roman-History Professor: Were There Ever Sharks in the Colosseum? |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/ask-a-roman-history-professor-were-there-ever-sharks-in-the-colosseum.html |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Vulture.com |language=en-US}} Numidia had already been part of the Roman Empire for about 250 years during the reign of Caracalla.{{cite news |title=The Only History 'Gladiator II' Cares About Is Its Own |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/gladiator-2-real-roman-history-1235068039/ |work=IndieWire |date=November 22, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122230812/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/gladiator-2-real-roman-history-1235068039/ |url-status=live }} University of Chicago historian Shadi Bartsch described the film as "total Hollywood bullshit".{{cite news |title=The Real History Behind Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II' and Life as a Fighter in the Ancient Roman Arena |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-real-history-behind-ridley-scotts-gladiator-ii-and-life-as-a-fighter-in-the-ancient-roman-arena-180985494/ |work=Smithsonian |date=November 21, 2024}} At the same time, baboons and a rhinoceros showcased on the Colosseum's arena are historically attested,{{cite web|url=https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/november-2024/gladiator-2-how-historically-accurate-is-it|title=Gladiator II: How historically accurate is it?|author=Ray Laurence|publisher=Macquarie University|date=14 November 2024|access-date=17 November 2024|archive-date=November 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121025329/https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/november-2024/gladiator-2-how-historically-accurate-is-it|url-status=live}} although there is no record of gladiators riding a rhinoceros.

There could be no naval battles in the Colosseum during the time of Caracalla since the underground structures were equipped for staging traditional gladiatorial fights and wild animals hunting games. The complex housed machinery such as winches and lifts and as a result naval games would have been impossible. Scholar Ray Laurence noted that "the ancient admiration of those who defy death as gladiators is nicely set out by the film" and that "the culture of gladiators is well presented with a doctor of gladiators".

The real-life Macrinus was a praetorian prefect of Berber descent from North Africa who became Roman emperor in 217 AD after conspiring against Caracalla and having him murdered.{{cite news |first=Jonny |last=Wilkes |title=The real Macrinus: how Gladiator II's power broker became a short-lived Roman emperor |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/macrinus-real-roman-emperor/ |work=BBC History Magazine |date=15 November 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=November 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117143620/https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/macrinus-real-roman-emperor/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Gladiator 2's Denzel Washington Reflects On Historical Inaccuracy Of His Character: "Macrinus Wasn't Black" |url=https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-macrinus-historical-inaccuracy-denzel-washington-response/ |work=Screen Rant |date=22 November 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122220805/https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-macrinus-historical-inaccuracy-denzel-washington-response/ |url-status=live }}

The choice of Denzel Washington sparked a controversy in Algeria where many people denounced a "blackwashing" of the historical Berber character, arguing that "Macrinus was not of sub-Saharan African origin. This historical revisionism erases North African identities to impose a simplistic and incorrect vision of history”.Gladiator 2 : Polémique en Algérie autour de Macrinus, l’empereur berbère de Rome https://www.tsa-algerie.com/gladiator-2-polemique-en-algerie-autour-de-macrinus-lempereur-berbere-de-rome/ TSAGladiator 2 relance la polémique sur l’histoire et la couleur https://www.lexpressiondz.com/chroniques/l-ecran-libre/gladiator-2-relance-la-polemique-sur-l-histoire-et-la-couleur-329221 L'Expression

In real life, Macrinus was responsible for civil affairs in Rome and was the first Roman emperor to come from the lower equestrian class and not the highly ranked senatorial class. He was not affiliated with gladiators.{{cite news |title=Which Characters from Gladiator II Are Real? |url=https://www.biography.com/history-culture/a62977525/are-characters-from-gladiator-ii-real |work=Biography.com |date=November 21, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122215232/https://www.biography.com/history-culture/a62977525/are-characters-from-gladiator-ii-real |url-status=live }} Washington claimed that there were definitely Black people in Rome at the time.{{cite web | date=November 22, 2024 |author=Jonathan Dean | url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/denzel-washington-gladiator-ii-interview-ls9dv88qw | title=Denzel Washington: 'I made some real clunkers after Malcolm X' | website=The Times |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241118022711/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/denzel-washington-gladiator-ii-interview-ls9dv88qw |archive-date=2024-11-18 | access-date=December 30, 2024}}

The emperors Geta and Caracalla were not twins{{mdash}}Caracalla was about one year older than Geta. The real-life Lucilla was the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and the wife of Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, his adoptive brother. One of their sons was named Lucius Verus, as in the film. However, Lucilla had died some 20 years before the reign of Caracalla, being murdered on the orders of Emperor Commodus, and her son Lucius had died in childhood.{{cite news |first=Kev |last=Lochun |title=Sharks in the arena? Gladiator II's real history and historical accuracy explained |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/gladiator-ii-real-history-true-story/ |work=BBC History Magazine |date=15 November 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122132737/https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/gladiator-ii-real-history-true-story/? |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=The Real Roman History Behind 'Gladiator II', Explained |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a61499972/roman-history-behind-gladiator-ii-true-story/ |work=Esquire |date=9 July 2024 |access-date=November 24, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828191706/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a61499972/roman-history-behind-gladiator-ii-true-story/ |url-status=live }}

Caracalla, after becoming sole emperor, names his pet monkey as consul. There is no historical evidence of this happening. This was possibly inspired by the earlier Roman emperor Caligula, who according to Suetonius intended to name his horse Incitatus as consul.{{Cite web |last=Cava |first=Marco della |title=Fact-checking 'Gladiator II': Were there really sharks in the Colosseum? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/11/23/gladiator-2-true-story-fact-check/76387624007/ |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126232742/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/11/23/gladiator-2-true-story-fact-check/76387624007/ |url-status=live }}

An idea that is presented in both Gladiator films is the branding of gladiators. This myth comes from an incorrect interpretation of the sacramentum of gladiators, which when translated into English means "I swear to let myself be burned" (bonded, punished, and killed with fire). The way this should be interpreted is more of a reference to combat than an actual mark that would identify you as a gladiator. However, this practice of marking did happen but only to slaves attempting to escape from their masters. Slaves running away from their masters were considered robbers because Romans believed when a slave tried running away from his master, he was "stealing himself" from his owner, so they would mark him so people would know he is a slave if he tried to run away again.{{Cite web |last=World |first=SPQR {{!}} Ancient Rome and the Ancient |date=2024-01-30 |title=Common Misconceptions about Gladiators |url=https://medium.com/@ancient.rome/common-misconceptions-about-gladiators-1498cf69af52 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Medium |language=en}}

There is no historical record of a Roman general named Acacius. The Roman co-emperors Geta and Caracalla were of mixed Arab, Italic, Libyan and Punic descent, but the actors who played them are not.{{Cite book |last=Birley |first=Anthony R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z8iEAgAAQBAJ&dq=Septimius+Severus+libyan+by+race&pg=PA50 |title=Septimius Severus: The African Emperor |date=1 June 2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-70745-4 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Hollywood's Gladiator II: Another missed opportunity for authentic North African representation |url=https://www.newarab.com/features/gladiator-ii-missed-chance-north-african-representation |work=The New Arab |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921183103/https://www.newarab.com/features/gladiator-ii-missed-chance-north-african-representation |url-status=live }}

In September 2024, Scott revealed that he was developing a script for a third film, and that the realization depends on the reception for the second installment. Titled Gladiator III, the plot was stated to follow the continuing adventures of Lucius Verus. Likening the ending of Gladiator II to The Godfather Part II (1974), the filmmaker stated that the next movie would explore the character's realization that he is now tasked with a continuing reputation that he does not want.{{cite web |url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/Ridley-Scott-prepare-deja-Gladiator-3--exclu|work=Premiere|title=Ridley Scott is already preparing Gladiator 3 [exclusive]|author=Picard, Sylvestre|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 20, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-3-ideas-development-1236151985/|work=Variety|title=Ridley Scott Is 'Already Toying With the Idea' for 'Gladiator 3': 'Seriously! I've Lit the Fuse'|author=Sharf, Zack|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 24, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923213751/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ridley-scott-gladiator-3-ideas-development-1236151985/|url-status=live}} Scott later stated that the movie is in early stages of development and intended to be the next project he works on,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gladiator-iii-ridley-scott-1236008160/|work=The Hollywood Reporter|title=Ridley Scott Planning a 'Gladiator 3': "There's Already an Idea"|author=Hibberd, James & Aaron Couch|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 24, 2024}} though the following month he stated to The New York Times his next projects after Gladiator II will be a Bee Gees biopic, set to shoot in September 2025, and an adaptation of the science fiction novel The Dog Stars, set to shoot in Italy in April 2025.{{Cite web |title=Sir Ridley Scott on Gladiator II |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sir-ridley-scott-on-gladiator-ii/id1616559297?i=1000676935493 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-CA |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121044652/https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sir-ridley-scott-on-gladiator-ii/id1616559297?i=1000676935493 |url-status=live }}

On 18th March 2025, a new behind-the-scenes book Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film to be published by Abrams Books and written by John Walsh containing new interviews, photos and others materials from the film. This large format 224 coffee table art book was licensed by the film’s rights holder Paramount Pictures.{{cite book |last=Walsh |first=John |title=Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film |url=https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/gladiator-ii-the-art-and-making-of-the-ridley-scott-film_9781419780165/ |website=AbrahmsBooks.com |isbn=978-1-4197-8016-5 }}

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