The highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic historical drama, Gladiator 2, is gearing up for its long-awaited release this year. The film, starring an ensemble cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, among others, has been in development for years. Recent reports are suggesting that the film’s budget has soared to unprecedented heights, with estimates now surpassing $300 million.
The production cost not only marks the most expensive film in the careers of Pascal and Washington but also ranks among the most expensive productions ever seen in Hollywood, even surpassing the budget of The Last Jedi, if confirmed.
Gladiator 2 is Reportedly One of the Most Expensive Films in Hollywood
The upcoming sequel to the Oscar-winning film Gladiator has reportedly soared to make it one of the most expensive films in Hollywood. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, the budget for Gladiator 2, which was initially estimated to be $165 million, has now skyrocketed close to $310 million.
As per the reports, the surge in the production cost could be attributed to a series of setbacks faced by the movie, including the 2023 Hollywood strikes. The production halt from July has reportedly caused an increase of $10 million, and the other cost rise is claimed to be added during the production.
“It’s a runaway,” one source told the outlet, claiming, “It’s not being managed.” Paramount insiders, however, have argued that the net cost of the 49-day shoot remained under $250 million. While the claim is yet to be confirmed by the filmmakers, if the reported budget turns out to be true, it could become a record-breaking film for its cast members, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.
Both Pascal and Washington have starred in a vast array of films. However, the most expensive films of their career include Wonder Woman ($200 million) for Pascal and The Taking of Pelham 123 ($100–110 million) for Washington. Gladiator 2, however, is estimated to exceed even the substantial budgets seen in blockbuster hits like The Last Jedi and Avengers: Infinity War.
What Caused the Gladiator 2’s Budget to Increase to $300 Million?
Ridley Scott’s upcoming film Gladiator 2 has been embroiled in controversy and chaos ahead of its release. The film’s ballooned budget could be attributed to many difficulties it faced during its production, including an open letter from PETA and on-set injuries of the crew members.
As per reports, despite the setbacks the film faced during the strikes, Ridley Scott may have covertly continued filming during these tumultuous times, capturing additional footage in Malta. A stunt mishap in June resulted in four crew members being hospitalized with non-life-threatening burn injuries, adding to the litany of challenges faced by the production.
Furthermore, allegations of animal abuse surfaced in July, prompting animal rights organization PETA to send an open letter to Scott filled with “whistleblower” reports. Despite denials from sources close to the production, who emphasize the presence of the Humane Society on-site, the controversy threatens to tarnish the film’s reputation.
Gladiator 2 is set to release on November 22, 2024.
