It is said that good things come to those who wait. After making audiences wait for 24 years following his blockbuster Gladiator in 2000, Ridley Scott is back with a much awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning film which will release at the end of year in November 2024. A star-studded cast featuring Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Joseph Quinn is adding further hype.
The film which was test-screened in Las Vegas, is already attracting a lot of attention and praise for Scott’s work. While a few significant scenes and the production design are predicted to leave audiences awestruck, there were three actors whose performances in the film were lauded according to initial rumors from the screening.
These Three Stars Have Allegedly Shone Brightly In Gladiator 2
As far as sequels go, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 is one of the most eagerly awaited films to hit the screens at the end of the year. The anticipation is even more intense as it comes 24 years after its illustrious predecessor. Following the award-winning success of the first film, expectations are sky-high for Scott to deliver another winner.
It looks like the filmmaker has taken the first step towards making the film a blockbuster by casting a glittering ensemble of actors including Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielsen among others.
As a curtain raiser to its release later this year, Scott test-screened Gladiator 2 in Las Vegas and allegedly received extremely positive responses for the 2 hour 40 minute cut. According to a report in World of Reel, the historical epic is reportedly staged as an action-packed revenge drama that has all the excitement of the original along with its own unique aspects.
As far as performances go, a lot of focus is on Pascal and Mescal who have both gained a lot of popularity of late with their presence in The Last Of Us and All of Us Strangers respectively. But according to rumored reviews from the screening, the maximum praise has gone to Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn.
Nielsen who plays Mescal’s character Lucius’s mother Lucilla, is being lauded for her emotional portrayal while Washington’s villainous turn as a former slave-turned-wealthy arms dealer has allegedly left preview audiences awestruck. Meanwhile, Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn has also reportedly impressed with his portrayal of the emperor Carcalla.
While these are still speculated opinions arising out of the test-screening, fans will be eager to see these predictions ring true along with witnessing Pascal and Mescal embody their characters in their own unique way.
Who Is Denzel Washington In Gladiator 2?
The hype for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 has gotten even bigger with the confirmation that Denzel Washington will be a part of it. The Oscar winner is known to ace any role or character to perfection, and his presence in this epic drama could elevate the film multifold. If rumors from the recent test screening are anything to go by, this prediction looks to hold true.
While there are not many details about the nuances of his character as yet, Scott revealed that Washington would play an ancient arms dealer and former gladiator who comes into big money by providing the Roman army with weapons and supplies.
In a chat with Screen Rant, Scott described the history of the character and also spoke about the face-off that Washington could have with the likes of Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus which is expected to be one of the marquee scenes in the film.
“He was captured in North Africa, and evolved into a free man because he was a good gladiator. But he hides that because also he’s now realizing the potential of his actual power. He’s wealthier than most senators, so already has thoughts and designs of the possible idea of taking power from these two crazy princes.”
With another few months to go before Gladiator 2 hits the big screens in November, fans of Scott, Washington, and the franchise will be eagerly looking forward to what’s in store.
Gladiator can be rented on Apple TV.
