Gladiator II had its first screening Friday night and early reactions have already made their way to social media.
The sequel to the 2000 film was screened at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, where media outlets and film critics got a first look at the movie starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal.
Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, sees Mescal playing a grown-up Lucius Verus II, a nephew to emperor Commodus from the original film, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Lucius returns to Rome after being forced into slavery to battle not as a ruler, but as a gladiator out for revenge and power, and seeks to return the glory of Rome to its people.
The cast also includes Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, Rory McCann, Fred Hechinger, Matt Lucas, May Calamawy, Tim McInnerny, Peter Mensah and Alec Utgoff. The movie opens in theaters on Nov. 22.
Gladiator II is set for a tentpole release by Paramount Pictures at Thanksgiving after the original film, which was released more than two decades ago, won five Oscars and earned $465.4 million worldwide. The first trailer released in July also racked up 215 million global cross-platform views in just a few days.
Full critics reviews for Gladiator II won’t drop until closer to the film’s release date, but read on for a sampling of the first reactions to the movie after the screening.
#GladiatorII serves up the richest feast in the epic action set pieces and deliciously ribald treachery. Dovetailing stylishly with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, stellar cast with aplomb. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse
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— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) October 19, 2024
epic doesn’t begin to describe #GladiatorII
this is the grandest of filmmaking by ridley scott. the theatrics, the blood !!!, and incredible performances make this one of the best films of the year. so fucking incredible pic.twitter.com/UbslKHXhfz
— kenzie xcx
(@kenzvanunu) October 19, 2024
Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent.
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— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 19, 2024
No like I dont think yall understand..#GladiatorII might actually be the best movie of the year to me & Im so sorry
Ive watched a lot movies this year I dont mean to be hyperbolic but I cannot overstate HOW GOOD this film is
RUN, DONT WALK to the theater on November 22! pic.twitter.com/LdIpI8KyG9
— Shanelle Genai
(@shanellegenai) October 19, 2024
