More than 20 years after the Gladiator’s release, we’re getting a sequel from the great Ridley Scott. The sequel is to be set 25 years after the events of the original movie. Russell Crowe’s Maximus won’t make a return as the premise of the sequel is set after his death. Commodus’ (played by Joaquin Phoenix) nephew and Maximus-Lucilla’s (played by Connie Nielsen) son Lucius Verus will lead the sequel. The thirteen year counterpart of the character featured in the original Gladiator played by Spencer Trea Clark. Djimon Hounsou and Connie Nielsen will reprise their respective characters. Ridley Scott will direct the script written by Peter Craig. After much surfing, auditions and rejections, Scott finally finalized Normal People’s Paul Mescal as the ideal man to play his Lucius.
The speculation about the sequel was in conversation from 2017, however, it wasn’t until 2018 that we got an official announcement. Since that day it was only in late 2022 that we got to know more details about the film. Since, its an epic it would take time to make, hence, the release date of the sequel was a mystery until it was revealed recently possibly after the scheduling was done.
Gladiator 2 and Avatar 3 Release Date to Clash?
The Ridley Scott sequel is the first film to come out since the original in the Gladiator franchise. Deadline reports that the sequel has scored a release date of late November 2024. The first time I heard it I was confused and concerned. The last time we’d discussed the sequel’s release date it was clear that you cannot take the late 2024 slot as that is when James Cameron’s box office juggernaut Avatar threequel will come out. I’d predicted that this would make the studio and Scott go for a later release date possibly early 2025.
However, it looks like they’ve decided to do quite the opposite. Don’t worry they’re not clashing with Avatar, at least not directly. Gladiator will release in theatres on 22nd November 2024, just before American Thanksgiving. This would give it the advantage of the holiday season whilst keeping safe distance from the dreadful Avatar 3 which would release in theatres on 20th December. If it was me then I would’ve not taken this decision because Gladiator too is a massive deal, maybe not as big as Avatar but still.
I don’t think so the film was going to run out of fuel in under a month at the theatres. If the performance of The Way of Water is any indication then as soon as the the new Avatar movie hits theatres every other competition will start losing business. Scott’s sequel will likely lose a good 15-20 extra days of theatre time as Avatar 3 will eat into its box office collections. Avatar 2 had an uninterrupted run because no one wanted to lose their money. Marvel’s first film was also planned for a February release because they knew Avatar will continue to dominate the entire January even if it is a December release.
I think Gladiator 2 will face a similar fate as Black Panther 2 where it could’ve earned more if it didn’t release close to an Avatar movie. Gladiator is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Gladiator 2 is set to hit theatres on 22nd November 2024.
If you have any questions regarding Gladiator 2, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
