Released in 2000 and accompanied by a series of controversies related to the many errors in the scenography and filming present in the shots, Gladiator It is undoubtedly one of those films that have forcefully entered the collective imagination, a sort of new classic characterized by phrases that have equally entered popular culture, such as the very famous “at my signal, unleash hell.” The 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott saw the actor Russell Crowe play the role of Maximus Decimus Meridius who went from being a hero of the Roman army to a gladiator because of the jealousy of the prince (later king) Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). The first film was about revenge, about Massimo Decimo Meridio’s desire to avenge the death of his entire family and the end of his own life as he knew it: it was, therefore, a story done and finished, with its own ending. No one would have predicted that, twenty-four years later, among the most anticipated films of the year there would also be The Gladiator 2.
Filmed mostly in Europe and expected for next November, The Gladiator 2 is now at the center of a report made by Vanity Fair which reveals the very first images of the protagonists. The story of this second chapter focuses on the character of Luio Vero, Commodus’ nephew who has now become an adult and played by Paul Mescal, young actor who rehearsal after rehearsal is confirming his talent more and more. Forced to live hidden far from Rome, in the Numidia region of the northern coast of Africa, the young man is forced to return home, where he is greeted with disbelief and shock, while he is pushed to fight in the arena, before the eyes of his own mother (Connie Nielsenwho returns after the first chapter). Another highly anticipated actor in this The Gladiator 2 And Pedro Pascal that after The last of us, has become a real Hollywood star, much loved by the public. The actor, who also appeared in Game of Thrones, plays a soldier, Marco Acacio, who is forced to enter the arena and fight to defend his honor, after having disobeyed the orders of Rome. In this sense, the character of Pascal seems to have a lot in common with that of Massimo Decimo Meridio. The Gladiator 2 It will also be explained that Marco Acacio was trained by the “young version” of Russell Crowe’s character in the first film.
In addition to the two actors already mentioned, who will presumably have the leading roles, The Gladiator 2 is also enriched by the presence of Denzel Washington, who will play the character of Macrino, a man of power who works as a middleman but also as a kind of arms dealer in ancient Rome. A rich man, presumably cruel, whose decisions will have a lot to do with what happens inside the arena. Joseph Quinnthe actor seen in Stranger Things, will be the emperor Geta, while Fred Hechinger plays his brother, Emperor Caracalla. Two young, but decidedly sadistic, brothers who are tasked with leading the now vast Roman Empire.
The Gladiator 2 aims to be a real blockbuster for the second half of the film season and it wouldn’t be strange to expect its presence at the next Venice Film Festival. In the meantime, the very first trailer is expected on July 9th, which could reveal some more details.
