Summary
Gladiator 2gets a new trailer edit that adds in Hans Zimmer’s original score. After the success of his 2000 original, director Ridley Scott now returns to the world ofGladiatorwith a sequel starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, among others. The firstGladiator 2trailerrecently dropped, providing the first real look at the film, but it has been somewhat divisive online due to the use of the song “No Church In The Wild” by Jay-Z and Kanye West.
AD_editshas now released a new version of theGladiator 2trailer on YouTube, replacing the Ye and Jay-Z song with Hans Zimmer’s “Now We Are Free,” an iconic song from the original movie’s score. Check it out below:
Unfortunately, some of the backlash to the trailer has had racial overtones, with complaints not just directed at the obvious anachronism of the song that was chosen, but its particular genre. These specific complaints have been coupled with criticism of Washington’s character and his accent. These disappointing complaints aside, the trailer edit does more fully lean on a sense of nostalgia for the original movie, and it could end up more accurately reflecting the score the film will end up having.
Zimmer did not return to compose the score forGladiator 2, with Harry Gregson-Williams instead tackling the music for the sequel.
Will Gladiator 2 Be Able To Recapture The Magic Of The Original?
There’s Reason To Be Optimistic For Ridley Scott’s Sequel
The most notable reason to be optimistic for the sequel is the return of Scott to the director’s chair. In addition to Russell Crowe’s lead performance,Scott is obviously a major reason why the original film was and is so beloved. That being said, despite directing some timeless classics, Scott’s filmography has been somewhat all over the map in terms of quality. Last year’sNapoleon, for example, was a bit of a misfire, even though it did feature some jaw-dropping action sequences.
TheGladiator 2castis another reason to be optimistic. Mescal is very much a star on the rise, and the upcoming sequel could cement him as a major fixture of Hollywood.Washington, too, one of the most revered and celebrated actors of the last few decades, is poised to play a major role in the film, as is Pascal as a key antagonist. Other notable stars include Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger.
8 Ways Paul Mescal’s Gladiator 2 Character Is Copying Russell Crowe’s Maximus
Gladiator 2’s protagonist Lucius bears many similarities to Gladiator’s Maximus, including a desire for revenge and disdain for the corrupt empire.
The trailer affirms thatMaximus' legacy will play an important part in the sequelafter the emotionalGladiatorending. This will ultimately help to further connect the narratives of the two films, hopefully helping it to appeal to those who loved the original and franchise newcomers alike. It remains unclear howGladiator 2will fare with audiences, but the latest trailer edit certainly reinforces that it’s one to look forward to.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
