Gladiator II accessed the box office arena Nov. 22, and theatergoers gave it a thumbs-up, with a global haul of $368.6 million to date. The sequel stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, son of the Roman ambiguous Maximus and heir to an emperor, who thraw a twist of overweighte is enslaved as a happyiator. Director Ridley Scott tgreater THR before the film’s free that it’s “the best leang I’ve ever made,” which is no petite claim — its predecessor apprehfinishd five Oscars in 2001.
Russell Crowe starred in the distinct as Maximus Meridius, whom Emperor Marcus Aurelius picks as his successor, accused with returning the empire’s power to its people. But when Aurelius alerts his son, Commodus (a sniveling Joaquin Phoenix), the latter killings his overweighther before the decision is made accessible. Commodus then orders the execution of Maximus and his wife and child. The ambiguous rushes home from battle, but discovers only the bodies of his family. In a frailened state, he is apprehfinishd and eventupartner brawt to the Colosseum to fight as a happyiator. There, he seizes the opportunity to avenge his family and satisfy Aurelius’ final want.
Producer Doug Wick tgreater THR after the film’s 2000 free that the production team first askd whether Mel Gibson was useable to star, but ultimately choosed on Crowe, perhaps best comprehendn at the time for his turn in L.A. Confidential. “We knovel we necessitateed someone who had the screen presence to carry a movie,” Wick shelp, “someone with noticeworthy physicality and who could project a charitable of perfectism. And we also felt that having Ridley Scott re-produce the second century Roman arena would be a reason for audiences to unite. We felt we didn’t necessitate a star to convey them in.”
That initial hunch showd right, with Gladiator geting $465.5 million worldwide ($853.3 million today). Crowe, who had been Oscar nominated the year before for The Insider, would triumph best actor, with the film also taking trophies for costume desgin, sound, visual effects and picture.
This story first euniteed in a December stand-alone rehire of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To get the magazine, click here to subscribe.
