As a seasoned history enthusiast and film critic who has spent countless hours wandering through the ruins of ancient Rome, I must say that the battle for filming locations between Ridley Scott and himself was nothing short of epic. Having grown up watching the original Gladiator, I can confidently say that the sequel did not disappoint. The cast, particularly Denzel Washington in his career-high villainous performance, brought a new level of intensity to the screen.
In Ridley Scott’s upcoming sequel, titled “Gladiator II”, the narrative revolves around the grandeur of ancient Rome. Our story begins with the empire’s favored general, Acacius, marching towards Numidia to claim the territory. As expected, he wins the battle and brings back slaves, among whom is Lucius – the son of Maximus who was thought lost. Lucius finds himself in the arena as a gladiator under Macrinus, a weapons dealer and Ludus owner. A confrontation between these two men seems imminent as ambitious Macrinus seeks the throne, while Lucius aims to reclaim his rightful position within the empire. Who will ultimately prevail?
Although the movie appeared to delve deeply into ancient Rome, viewers might think it was filmed on location there, but that wasn’t the case. Despite efforts to make it happen, filming never took place in Rome. If events had gone differently, Paul, Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal could have walked where Romans once did, had not Anthony Hopkins’ TV series been produced. In 2022, the television show Those About to Die, featuring Anthony Hopkins, was greenlit by Peacock, and in an unexpected turn of events, it interfered with Ridley Scott’s plans for Gladiator II.
Anthony Hopkins Plays the Founder of the Flavian Dynasty in ‘Those About to Die’
2024 saw the debut of the series “Those About to Die,” inspired by Daniel Pratt’s book and the plot basis for the initial Gladiator movie. The title is a nod to the Latin phrase used during gladiatorial games, “Ave Caesar, salve, morituri te salutant” – a greeting made to the Emperor by those who were about to die.
In this portrayal, Anthony Hopkins embodies the elderly Emperor Vespasian, who, in a time of great turmoil, stands out as the capable ruler during the Year of the Four Emperors. Historically accurate, Vespasian governs Rome alongside his sons Titus and Domitianus. The story unfolds in 79 AD, where the Emperor has decided that constructing the Flavian Amphitheater, later famously known as the Colosseum, is an excellent way to solidify his enduring legacy, so he initiates its construction.
I fondly recall Emperor Vespasian as one of the most remarkable figures in Roman history. He established the Flavian Dynasty, a lineage that reigned over the empire for an impressive 27 years, succeeding the Julio-Claudians. In an epoch characterized by frequent power shifts, I was privileged to serve under Vespasian’s rule for a solid decade. During this time, his fiscal reforms and policy initiatives paved the way for political stability and a construction renaissance.
In a different part of the program, the gambler Tenax intends to elevate his status within the empire by assembling a powerful racing team for the Circus Maximus competitions, with the help of the proficient racer Scorpus. Meanwhile, a resolute woman named Cala journeys to Rome with the goals of liberating her daughters, Aura and Jula, from bondage and preventing her son, Kwame, from engaging in gladiatorial games due to his concerns about mortality.
Roland Emmerich Beat Ridley Scott for the Rights to Film in Rome
The intense competition between two productions, Gladiator II and Those About to Die, unfolded concurrently during their filming. Despite tackling similar themes, Peacock’s show was able to claim the rights to Rome before Scotland’s. This surprising turn of events can be attributed to the equally exceptional direction provided by Roland Emmerich, who is famously known as “The Master of Disaster.
Regarded as the mastermind behind iconic ’90s sci-fi films like “Independence Day”, “Godzilla”, “Stargate”, and “Universal Soldier”, Emmerich has earned considerable respect in Hollywood, allowing him to stand shoulder to shoulder with Scott in their battle for filming rights.
Empire Magazine conducted interviews with director Roland Emmerich and chief writer Robert Rodat, who both corroborated the earlier speculation. Although they successfully fought for filming locations, Emmerich acknowledged his admiration for Ridley Scott. Specifically, he praised Scott for successfully continuing a sequel from what initially appeared to be a closed narrative.
“I’m really in awe how he could continue that story. Maximus was dead!”
It’s worth noting that Rodat confessed Scott had felt let down over not securing the role of Rome. Despite this, the author showed understanding by offering an apology.
Rome has a shortage of resources, and I believe he was upset because he couldn’t film there. Let me express my apologies for this situation.
Class!
Instead of Rome, Scott chose to film in Morocco, Malta, and the UK instead. Fortunately, these places turned out to be ideal substitutes.
‘Gladiator II’ Still Leaves Fans Entertained
Although Rome has undergone significant transformations throughout history, it would have been fascinating to witness the authentic landmarks in Gladiator II. However, this limitation didn’t diminish the movie’s overall quality. In fact, Gladiator II remains remarkable, boasting a cast that some argue surpasses the first film. Denzel Washington delivers an exceptional portrayal as a cunning gladiator owner, using his intellect instead of a sword. At 69, he continues to embody his signature charm exceptionally well. In this movie, he delivers a career-best villainous performance, evoking memories of his remarkable work in Training Day.
Paul Mescal skillfully portrays Lucius, his former subordinate turned adversary, with an undeniable charm. Despite his lack of experience in major film productions, an air of confidence surrounds him. It’s hard not to empathize with Lucius as we ponder if he will ever attain the liberty and self-expression that we so casually enjoy in contemporary society. Pedro Pascal adds a distinctive flair to General Acacius, making his portrayal memorable amidst his diverse range of recent characters.
In addition to this, Ridley Scott’s unique combination of multi-camera filming and computer-generated imagery gives every scene an astonishing sense of authenticity. This creates a rich, emotional portrayal of ancient Rome, vividly illustrating the corruption and deceit that were common during that era.
Unfortunately, unlike some productions, the claim doesn’t hold true for “Those About to Die“. It seems this production may overstep its bounds by borrowing scenarios and concepts excessively, beyond what it can effectively integrate. Despite having an ideal playground at their disposal, they appear to have fallen short in making the most of it.
The series has garnered a blend of positive and negative feedback from both viewers and experts. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 6.7, while Rotten Tomatoes gives it a score of 48%. Critics often mention that the show is too crowded, leaving insufficient room for character development, and an overemphasis on violence. It appears Ridley Scott’s imperial rule was indeed well-deserved.
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2024-12-08 00:32