by Robert Astrid

Of course, being the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2000 Gladiator movie would usually be enough to whip up a hype storm. However, more has been revealed about the movie that’s got critics even more excited for Ridley Scott’s next outing. As it stands, the original film’s legacy, cast, and revealed events look to forge an end-of-year blockbuster event.

Gladiator still holds an imperious legacy

Gladiator has long been hailed as one of the best historical epics ever put to film. The famous line, helmet, setting, and vengeance-driven rivalry between Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix remain prominent in the minds of moviegoers. It’s why there’s a second movie being made so far down the line from the first, and why there’s such a vast collection of licensed games that continue to draw in fans.

At Paddy Power Games alone, there are three official Gladiator slot games and one that’s more of a crossover with another popular slot game series. So, that makes the original Gladiator: Road to Rome, Gladiator Jackpot, Gladiator: Mega Cash Collect, and Gladiatoro. With the exception of the latter, all lean heavily into the grand setting of the Colosseum and the events of the film, so it makes sense that they all command a strong player base.

The slots offer a way for Gladiator to remain prominent and visible among audiences day-to-day, but of course, the film’s legacy comes from its cinematic showing. As is detailed by The Numbers, Gladiator made over $451 million in 2000. On top of this, at the Academy Awards, it was nominated for 12 accolades and landed five of them, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and one week after the home video release, it made $60 million in sales.

A lot going for Gladiator II

Along with a mighty legacy behind the film, the cast is certainly one of the hooks. Rising star Paul Mescal takes on the lead of a grown-up Lucius and will be surrounded by Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, and Tim McInnerny. Then, of course, there’ll be Ridley Scott back behind the camera to try to power Gladiator II to the same heights as its predecessor.

Earlier this year, critics and writers who attended CinemaCon 2024 were treated to a new teaser for Gladiator II. Cinema Blend writes that this little preview included footage of Mescal being as rageful as Crowe was 24 years ago, but instead of just tigers, chariots, and soldiers to fight, the gladiators now need to face ferocious apes, test shark-infested waters, and stare down a warrior astride a rhinoceros. It also revealed that Washington will be Lucius’ mentor in the movie.

Gladiator II arrives in cinemas on November 22, 2024, bringing us back to the legendary world of gladiatorial battles, the glory of ancient Rome, and now, battles against some of the most powerful beasts in the world.

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