When Ridley Scott announced the sequel to “Gladiator” (2000), there was fear on the part of the public and even the protagonist of the first film, Russell Crowe – either because of how it would be to continue the story or because it would “tarnish” the reputation of the original title. However, Denzel Washington who is part of the cast of “Gladiator 2” said the film is “ridiculously big.”
The person who took on the challenge of starring in the second film was Paul Mescal after conquering Hollywood with his performances in “Normal People” (2020) and “Aftersun“ (2021), which earned him an Oscar nomination. The veteran assured that the Irishman made his own version of the gladiator.
“Paul did it. He’s his own gladiator. I didn’t have to do anything other than that [bebe água com o dedo mindinho para cima]. That was my job. Just spin the glass, spin the cup and hold everything I have in the other hand,” Denzel Washington said in an interview with Variety.
The actor, winner of two Oscars (“Glory” and “Training Day”), has also said that the title is the biggest production he has ever participated in: “They built the Colosseum! It’s a ride, it’s a spectacle, everywhere you look, you feel like you’re in that world. And I love that.”
The second film is set 25 years after the events of “Gladiator” (2000), in which Maximus (Russell Crowe), a powerful Roman general, arouses the wrath of Marcus Aurelius’ (Richard Harris) son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), before the emperor’s death. When the heir seizes power, he is sentenced to death, however, he manages to escape and goes into hiding as a slave and gladiator while seeking revenge.
The new plot centers on Lucius, Lucilla’s son and Commodus’ nephew, who was inspired by Maximus. In the first film, the character is a child, played by Spencer Treat Clark. Now, Mescal plays the protagonist.
When he was still young, Lucilla sent him to the northern coast of Africa, to a region called Numidia which was – at that time – beyond the reach of the Roman Empire. When he was older, he He lives a relatively peaceful life with his wife and children until the conquerors of his homeland invade his new home, led by a general trained by Maximus.
Names like Peter Pascal (“The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian”), Connie Nielsen (“Gladiator” and “Devil’s Advocate”) and Joseph Quinn (“Stranger Things” and “Game of Thrones”) also make up the film’s cast. “Gladiator 2” hits Brazilian cinemas on November 14th.
Watch the trailer for “Gladiator 2”:
This content was originally published in “Gladiator 2”: Denzel Washington says Paul Mescal is “his own gladiator” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
