Were you not entertained with the first Gladiator?
Then the sequel invites you back into the Colosseum to see Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal have a bloody good time. Here’s what we know about Gladiator 2, including where the Gladiator sequel is being filmed in Europe.
Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in a scene from Gladiator 2. Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
What is the release date for Gladiator 2?
Gladiator 2 will hit theaters on November 22, 2024. That makes it six months shy of 25 years since the original Gladiator with Russel Crowe was released. Gladiator 2 behind the scenes photos, videos, and info are still in short supply — but we have a feeling that the first Gladiator 2 trailer will hype us up for the film even more.
What is the plot of Gladiator 2?
The plot of Gladiator 2 jumps decades ahead of Gladiator where we find Paul Mescal’s Lucius living in North Africa with his wife and son. The Romans, led by Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius, invade the area, capturing Lucius and returning him to Rome as a gladiator. Lucius discovers that his mother — Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla — is not only alive, but romantically involved with Marcus. All the while, Denzel Washington’s powerbroker character, Macrinus, is carrying out his own agenda.
Watch the Gladiator 2 trailer
Who is in the cast of Gladiator 2?
Gladiator 2 stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, as well as Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington (The Equalizer 3), Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones), Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), Rory McCann (Hot Fuzz), and Derek Jacobi (The Crown).
Who will play Lucius in Gladiator 2?
Lucius in Gladiator 2 will be played by Paul Mescal. Mescal’s rise to stardom followed his roles in Normal People and All of Us Strangers, and is only going to rise when Gladiator 2 is released on November 22, 2024.
Pedro Pascal as General Marcus Acacius in Gladiator 2. Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
What part does Pedro Pascal play in Gladiator 2?
Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius in Gladiator 2. His character is a Roman general who trained under Russel Crowe’s Maximus, though this character was not featured in the original Gladiator. Pedro Pascal’s character is set to be at odds with Paul Mescal’s Lucius.
Is Maximus alive in Gladiator 2?
No, Maximus is not alive in Gladiator 2. The character’s spirit is embodied in the script and his name will almost certainly be referenced, but Maximus will not be in the film.
Will Russell Crowe be in Gladiator 2?
No, Russell Crowe will not be in Gladiator 2. His character met his fate at the end of Gladiator. We wouldn’t hold our breaths for a flashback scene or anything like that; Gladiator 2 will continue the story of Gladiator in many ways, but with Crowe’s memory, not involvement.
Paul Mescal as Lucius, a vicious warrior sold into slavery, in Gladiator 2. Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
How did Paul Mescal bulk up for Gladiator 2?
Paul Mescal has dropped his full workout regiment but he purposely tried to bulk up to look stronger, rather than focus on a more toned and cut physique. He didn’t want to look like an “underwear model” though we’re pretty sure he’s going to leave most of the audience hot and bothered all the same.
How much did Paul Mescal get paid for Gladiator 2?
Paul Mescal’s salary for Gladiator 2 is rumored to earn £6 million for his role as Lucius, the son of Lucilla. Both characters appeared in the first Gladiator, and although Lucius’s dad was Lucius Verus I, there’s a chance that it’s actually Russel Crowe’s Maximus. If it is, then the baby boy is raking in more than papa: Russel Crowe was reportedly paid $5 million, which, with the conversion, is less than what Paul Mescal is rumored to make.
Where is Gladiator being filmed?
The sequel to Gladiator was filmed in three places across Europe and Africa: the UK, Malta, and Morocco. Ouarzazate, Morocco plays a huge role in Gladiator 2 as the primary filming location. A city located south of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, Ouarzazate has welcomed other filming crews over the years, including production teams for The Mummy, Game of Thrones, and The Pope.
🚆Trainline Tip: Europe’s railways don’t run across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa, but these trains can help you get to Morocco as fast (and cheap) as possible. Many European cities have trains running directly from the city center to the international airport, including London via the Heathrow Express and Stansted Express. Save money on cabs and rideshares when you take the train to the airport to check our filming locations for Gladiator 2 in Morocco and Malta.
Where is Gladiator 2 being filmed in the UK?
Gladiator 2 was filmed in Sussex, UK, specifically Brighton’s Devil’s Dyke. Filming in the UK isn’t new for Ridley Scott, who also used Bourne Wood, Surrey in England as a filming location for the original Gladiator.
Malta was used once again by Ridley Scott as a filming location, this time for Gladiator 2. Image Credit: Holger Leue. Image Location: Kalkara marina, Malta
Is Gladiator 2 being filmed in Malta?
Yes, Gladiator 2 is being filmed in Malta. Production returns to the European island once again, having shot much of the original Gladiator there. Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara is a buzz with cameras and extras, which is no surprise since the fort was heavily featured in Gladiator.
How much did Gladiator 2 cost to make?
Reports state that Gladiator 2 started with a budget of $165 million, but is now could be nearer to $310 million. Around $10 million of that budget was lost to the Hollywood strikes, but the rest of the budget blow up means Gladiator 2 will need a big box office boost. Maybe with Gladiator 2 releasing at the same time as Wicked, moviegoers will go the “Barbenheimer” route and give both films a payday.
Why is Gladiator 2 so expensive?
Well, renting Rome’s Colosseum doesn’t come cheap, ya know. Just kidding — even Hollywood directors can’t rent the Colosseum, which is why Ridley Scott built his own in Malta for Gladiator. Judging by his affinity for fantastic set pieces, the use of CGI is needed; and with a top-billed cast that carries quite the bill, it’s assumed the Gladiator 2 will be as extravagant as it is expensive.
Is Hans Zimmer doing the soundtrack for Gladiator 2?
No, Hans Zimmer is not doing the soundtrack for Gladiator 2, despite composing it for the first Gladiator. Instead, Harry Gregson Williams will put music to the movie. His previous productions as a composer include House of Gucci, The Last Duel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The Martian, Shrek, and The Town.
Download the Trainline app and visit the filming locations for Gladiator 2 in England, as well as these other films by Ridley Scott that were filmed in Europe, including Gladiator, House of Gucci, and Napoleon.
Header Image Credit: Aidan Monaghan/2024 Paramount Pictures.
