The first trailer for Gladiator 2 has recently been released, and the digital Colosseum is already buzzing with differing opinions as Ridley Scott’s film promises to be a thundering spectacle.
The upcoming movie will not feature Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, who died at the end of the previous installment. Rather, it will carry on Maximus’ legacy and concentrate on Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus. Along with popular actor Pedro Pascal and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, the sequel will also star Joseph Quinn.
Yet, despite the smorgasbord of sensational battles fit, there’s a discordant note in the symphony of chaos—a rap anthem by Jay-Z and Ye, No Church in the Wild—that sticks out like a sore thumb in ancient Rome.
Gladiator 2: Will Ridley Scott’s One Decision Sink This Sequel?
Few trailers can stir the pot like the highly anticipated first look at Gladiator 2. Mere moments after its release this past Tuesday, the trailer has ignited a firestorm of backlash, leaving many fans at their wits’ end. A major bone of contention? Ridley Scott’s daring—and some say disastrous—decision that could send the whole project down in flames.
Let’s see a quick summary of the trailer: Paul Mescal, as Lucius, squares off against the formidable Pedro Pascal, portraying Marcus Acacius. An epic clash set in the grand Roman Colosseum is teased, with promises of naval battles, sharks, and even rhinos.
The trailer paints a canvas drenched in blood and brimstone, and if that weren’t enough, the return of Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and the inclusion of Denzel Washington as Macrinus add to the dramatic flair. Yet, for all its visual grandeur and high-stakes drama, one misstep in the trailer is poised to undo the entire spectacle.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the music. Instead of opting for a score that channels the ethereal brilliance of Hans Zimmer, whose stirring compositions defined Gladiator, Ridley Scott took an audacious leap.
The trailer is set to No Church in the Wild, a hip-hop anthem by Jay-Z and Kanye West, prompting fans to form differing opinions after seeing the song choice. Let’s have a look at some comments by viewers (via YouTube):
We went from Hans Zimmer to Rap music. I have by doubts already. -@trimmythetrojan
Can they please stop using modern music on trailers for historic epics? -@Duckiman
Wtf is that music Jesus Christ it was going so well. -@woodhead0823
The rap song in GII – seriously? The spell was broken. -@emanuelbroszko9567
I really hope the music they chose for this trailer isn’t indicative of the style of music that will be in the film’s soundtrack…-@khodexus4963
Released in 2011, it’s a song filled with its own kind of fire and fury, but it rubs many fans the wrong way. The choice of a rap song seems out of place in this ancient epic.
Hans Zimmer’s Explanation for Turning Down Gladiator 2 Musical Duties
Can you imagine the Pirates of the Caribbean or The Lion King without their swashbuckling score? Hans Zimmer, one of the most beloved composers in the industry, has lent his genius to these iconic films and more, developing soundtracks that remain in our hearts long after the credits roll.
His work on Ridley Scott’s Gladiator alone has cemented the film’s status as a 2000s epic, leaving us inspired & breathless. However, as we gear up with anticipation for the sequel to the Roman saga, Gladiator 2, Zimmer stepped back from the arena, choosing to preserve the original score’s sanctity rather than face the potential critiques.
The composer has learned that revisiting past franchises only sets him up for criticism and dissatisfaction from people who think Zimmer could’ve done a better job the first time around (via ScreenRant). Films like Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, and Pirates of the Caribbean made him aware of this, and he concluded he had “enough of that” at that point.
Anyway, Gladiator 2 has all the makings of an epic sequel, but much like a battle in the Colosseum, it could either emerge victorious or fall to the teeth of the lions. So, mark your calendars for November 22, 2024, to find out.
Gladiator is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
