Joseph Quinn Was Worried About Making A Gladiator Sequel, But Said One A-Lister Namedrop Made The Pitch ‘Undeniable’

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Joseph Quinn Was Worried About Making A Gladiator Sequel, But Said One A-Lister Namedrop Made The Pitch 'Undeniable'

As a die-hard movie enthusiast who has seen more films than I can count, I am beyond excited for the upcoming release of Gladiator II. The original Gladiator is one of those rare masterpieces that leave an indelible mark on your soul, and it’s not every day we get a sequel to such a legendary film.

Among the 2024 movie releases yet to come, it’s quite likely that “Gladiator II,” Ridley Scott’s anticipated return to the universe of one of his greatest successes, is the film generating the most excitement. Joseph Quinn, known for “A Quiet Place: Day One,” was initially apprehensive about joining the sequel of the acclaimed “Gladiator.” However, upon learning that an A-lister was involved, he found the proposition irresistible.

What Did Gladiator II’s Joseph Quinn Say About One A-Lister’s Name Helping Him Decide To Do The Sequel?

Since his breakout role as Eddie Munson in “Stranger Things” Season 4 in 2022, Joseph Quinn’s career has been rapidly escalating. Earlier this summer, audiences had a chance to catch him on the big screen, taking the lead alongside Lupita Nyong’o in “A Quiet Place: Day One.” At present, he is filming his part as Johnny Storm/Human Torch for the highly anticipated “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” This autumn, however, Quinn will be donning the malevolent sandals of Roman, a co-emperor, in a new role.

Occasionally, we don’t often encounter sequels for films as cherished as “Gladiator”, especially considering that the initial masterpiece was awarded and released over two decades ago. So, it’s understandable that Quinn felt apprehensive about joining the new narrative, even with the impressive pool of talent involved. During a recent conversation with L’Officiel USA, he expressed his feelings about the original blockbuster:

When I was around 12 or 13 years old, I saw it and was utterly captivated by the movie. That level of filmmaking isn’t commonplace. Ridley Scott has a knack for it, and I knew that revisiting such a world might not sit right with some people. I believe it’s a masterpiece, and sometimes it’s best to let these extraordinary works stand on their own merit.

It’s common knowledge that when the idea of a Gladiator sequel was first proposed, many fans may have felt apprehensive, even with the renowned director returning. Frankly, I often find myself expressing something like “they should just leave it alone” at least five times daily regarding remakes or sequels of movies, TV shows, or songs that I hold dear.

It was decided not to overshadow the outstanding portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix as Gladiator in the sequel, so they drew inspiration from other captivating villain roles that Joseph Quinn studied instead.

Initially hesitant about taking on the role for ‘Gladiator II’, Quinn found his resolve when he learned that Denzel Washington, two-time Oscar winner and co-star from ‘Training Day’, would also be part of the project. This change of heart was due to his desire to work alongside this A-lister.

It was literally undeniable; I would not have been able to deny that opportunity.

I wouldn’t be able to deny an opportunity to work with Mr. Washington either, and I’m not even an actor, so I think we all get his motivation here. Hopefully, his first time meeting the acclaimed talent went way better than the first time Quinn met Taylor Swift.

The sequel to “Gladiator,” featuring Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger alongside other stars, is set to premiere in theaters on November 22.

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2024-09-26 22:37