Paramount has unveiled a first trailer for “Gladiator 2,” the sequel to Ridley Scott’s film. A blockbuster that will hit theaters next November.
The film “is possibly even more extraordinary than the first one,” director Ridley Scott assured in a video broadcast at the Caesars Palace casino, a fitting location with its decor reminiscent of ancient Rome.
Released in 2000, the first “Gladiator” won the Oscar for best film, also with Ridley Scott at the helm.
After Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, whose characters succumb in the original feature film, a new generation of actors takes over in this second part, scheduled for November in American theaters.
Paul Mescal plays the gladiator Lucius. This nephew of the evil emperor appeared briefly as a child in the first film.
Pedro Pascal plays an army general. And the mysterious character played by Denzel Washington seems to be plotting to overthrow the Roman Empire. “Rome must fall. I just have to give it a helping hand,” he had let go in the trailer.
The images were enthusiastically received by the audience. Enough to put a little balm on the heart of Paramount Pictures, one of the oldest Hollywood studios, currently facing an uncertain future. Its parent company has just started negotiations for a merger with the Skydance studio. And this, while 2024 is shaping up to be a lean year for all studios.
The strike by actors and writers that paralyzed Hollywood for six months last year delayed the production of many films, which will translate into a drop in the studio’s worldwide box office revenue.
Paramount executives, however, delivered an upbeat presentation Thursday at the CinemaCon trade show, where studios unveil upcoming releases to U.S. theater operators.
