As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for historical epics, I must say that Ridley Scott has once again outdone himself with the grandeur and authenticity of his creation – ‘Gladiator 2’. Having traversed the cobblestone streets of Rome in my youth, I can attest to the sheer magic that is ‘Ancient Rome’, and Scott’s team has managed to recreate it with such precision, it feels like a time machine has taken us back.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. But, it turns out, it can be recreated in a few weeks by a dedicated team of production designers. Ridley Scott‘s long-awaited Gladiator 2 transports audiences back to Ancient Rome as the sequel moves beyond the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) towards his son, Lucius (Paul Mescel). Gladiator 2 jumps ahead over 15 years from the first movie, and is set during the joint reign of Emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn). Every Emperor needs a jaw-dropping empire to rule over, and a new featurette has highlighted the hard work Scott’s crew has put into replicating Rome, and how it shocked Quinn when he arrived on set for the first time.
A brief clip posted on the movie’s main social media platform showcases the meticulous construction of the Colosseum set for the upcoming film. In a conversation with Quinn, the actor expresses his astonishment upon seeing these remarkable sets. Contrary to the original Gladiator that was filmed in Italy, this new installment was shot in England, Morocco, and Malta, where the grand sets were constructed. Quinn remarked:
Upon our arrival and laying eyes on the constructed sets, I was utterly astonished to find that they had recreated Ancient Rome. Witnessing such a spectacle is an extraordinary experience seldom encountered.
Why Gladiator 2 Wasn’t Shot in Rome
A multitude of film enthusiasts were taken aback to discover that Ridley Scott didn’t film Gladiator 2 in Rome, similar to the original movie. Instead, with Malta’s tax incentives, Scott and his crew recreated and modernized the renowned sets from the first film on this tiny island nation. However, contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t that Scott didn’t wish to return to Rome for the anticipated sequel; rather, he was unable to because another director was already utilizing the same locations.
As Ridley Scott was busy with the production of “Gladiator 2”, Roland Emmerich embarked on his initial venture into television, producing the historical series “Those About to Die”. This series, streaming on Peacock, is set approximately a century before “Gladiator” and narrates the tale of Emperor Vespasian constructing The Colosseum to quell the unrest among the populace. Critics have given the show mixed reviews, with a Tomatometer score of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, Ridley Scott didn’t require Rome for “Gladiator” to transport viewers back to its ancient era. The first trailer for the upcoming film showcases its impressive sets in motion as Lucius and Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) engage in a tense confrontation within the Colosseum, leaving fans eagerly anticipating more.
Gladiator 2
releases in US theaters on November 22, 2024.
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2024-08-22 03:32