The long awaited Gladiator There is finally a trailer for the sequel to this film. Based on the short three-minute preview we got, it looks like it will be another epic spectacle full of bloody gladiators, power struggles, rebellion and revenge.
Gladiator II is one of our most anticipated new films of the year and is expected to hit theaters later in 2024 on November 22, before presumably being released via streaming on Paramount Plus at a later date – though that hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, so be sure to check back to find out when that’s announced.
As a sequel to one of Ridley Scott’s best films, we have high expectations for what the new film has to offer. Gladiatorespecially since Scott will be back in the director’s chair. There’s also an all-star ensemble cast on board, which so far includes:
- Paul Mescal (Normal people) as Lucius
- Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) as Lucilla
- Pedro Pascal (The last of us) as Marcus Acacius
- Denzel Washington (The equalizer) as Macrinus
- Derek Jacobi (Gladiator) as Senator Gracchus
- Joseph Quinn (Strange things) as Emperor Geta
- Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus) as Emperor Caracalla
- Lior Raz (The busy room) in an unnamed role
- May Calamawy (Moon Knight) in an unnamed role
Plot details are scarce, but we do know roughly what to expect from the sequel, which we’ll briefly discuss below. In the meantime, if you’re looking for something similar to watch, Prime Video and Peacock are releasing a new historical epic called Those who are about to die that looks like Gladiator crossed with Game of Thrones on July 19th.
Gladiator II: What We Know So Far
After more than two decades, we finally return to the Colosseum of ancient Rome to continue the epic saga. Will there be a newly formed republic, as Marcus Aurelius had wished? Let’s not get our hopes up too high.
From what has been said about the plot so far, Gladiator II’s story is set a few years after the original film ended and will focus on the former heir to the Roman Empire, Lucius (Paul Mescal), who we’ll meet as his home is conquered by “the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist” – so it looks like we can expect more of history’s bloodiest battles to hit the big screen…
“With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find the strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to his people,” the plot synopsis adds, setting the tone for an action-packed blockbuster that looks set to be packed with spectacle judging from what we saw in the trailer, including a rhino, sharks and more – you can probably see why it’s one of the 18 most anticipated films of 2024.
I can’t remember what happened to Russell Crowe in the first one Gladiator? You can stream the original on Prime Video in the US and UK, and on Netflix in the UK and Australia, while you wait for Gladiator II will be released later this year.