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Gerard Butler kicked off 2025 by reprising his role as Big Nick in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, but one action thriller from the star that’s nearly 20 years old has returned to streaming charts. Butler stars alongside Game of Thrones veteran Lena Headey and Dominic West in 300, the historical action epic telling the story of the 300 Spartan soldiers who stood courageously against Xerxes and his Persian army. 300 is currently streaming on Amazon MGM+, and not only is it trending in the United States, but it’s also piquing curiosity in other countries such as Peru. 300 grossed a whopping $456 million at the box office in 2006 on a $65 million budget, and the film also earned a 61% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter.

In addition to Butler, Headey, and West, 300 also stars Michael Fassbender as Stelios, Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes, and Peter Mensah as the Messenger.

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True Blood is a fantasy horror drama series created by Alan Ball. Based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries by author Charlaine Harris, the HBO series is set in a world where vampires’ existence is known and they consume synthetic blood to survive. The story of True Blood takes place in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, and it follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic young woman working as a waitress who begins falling in love with a vampire. True Blood stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Chris Bauer, Nelsan Ellis, Jim Parrack, Carrie Preston, Michael Raymond-James, and William Sanderson. So, if you loved the supernatural drama, compelling story, and entertaining stories in True Blood, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Midnight, Texas (Rent on Prime Video) Credit...

Sophie Turner plays a scandalized Hollywood star in search of privacy in Trust — but as the movie trailer shows, her getaway soon turns into a nightmare. The movie opens in theaters on Aug. 22.

The clip opens with an Entertainment Tonight–type program showing intimate photos of Turner and a positive pregnancy test, while she holds her face in shock. When a man played by Billy Campbell exhorts her to let him take care of the situation, she firmly says, “You are not in control anymore.” But once she’s secluded,...

Game of Thrones‘ Sophie Turner stars as an actress who is trapped in a safe room in the trailer for Trust. The thriller comes from the producers of Saw and will open in theaters on August 22, 2025.

The cast also includes Rhys Coiro, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Forrest Goodluck, Gianni Paolo, Renata Vaca, and Katey Sagal.

“After a scandal, a Hollywood starlet (Sophie Turner) retreats to a remote cabin—but she’s not alone,” reads Republic Pictures’ synopsis. “Betrayed by the man she trusted most, she’s trapped in a brutal game of survival. She can hide, but she can’t run.”

Carlson Young (Upgraded) directs and Gigi Levangie (The Starter Wife) wrote the screenplay. Producers include Miles Koules, Ketura Kestin, and Oren Koules.

Poster for ‘Trust’ (Photo Credit: Republic Pictures)

The post Sophie Turner Fights for Survival in ‘Trust’ Trailer appeared first on ShowbizJunkies.

Sophie Turner is starring in a new thriller and the trailer is going to have your heart racing!

The 29-year-old actress is leading the cast of the upcoming movie Trust, directed by Scream TV series actress Carlson Young.

Here is the synopsis: “After a scandal, a Hollywood starlet (Turner) retreats to a remote cabin—but she’s not alone. Betrayed by the man she trusted most, she’s trapped in a brutal game of survival. She can hide, but she can’t run.”

Head inside to watch the trailer…

You can watch the trailer below!

Also starring in the movie are Rhys Coiro, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Forrest Goodluck, Gianni Paolo, Renata Vaca and Katey Sagal.

Trust will be released in select theaters on August 22.

In other Sophie news, she appears to be on good terms with ex-husband Joe Jonas again!

"People mess up. Then they just drift away..." Paramount Movies has revealed the full official trailer for Trust, a survival thriller from actress / filmmaker Carlson Young. This movie is set for release in August in theaters later this summer. This is another generic title for a movie - not to be confused with the 2010 web thriller Trust, or the 2018 TV series also titled Trust, or any other thriller movie about trust. Described as a "cat-and-mouse feature", this psychological survival thriller features Sophie Turner as a young Hollywood starlet who escapes to a remote cabin after a sex scandal in town. Betrayed, she hopes to hide out there, but ends up trapped in a "brutal game of survival" by some home invasion guests. It also co-stars Rhys Coiro, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Forrest Goodluck, Gianni Paolo, Renata Vaca, and Katey Sagal. So is it all in her head or all of these people real?...

Sophie Turner (“Game of Thrones”) returns to the screen in Trust this Summer, a psychological survival thriller that has been dated for select theatrical release on August 22, 2025.

From director Carlson Young (Upgraded) and screenwriter Gigi Levangie, Trust will be released by Republic Pictures. Check out the film’s official poster and trailer below.

In the film, “A Hollywood star (Sophie Turner) retreats to a remote cabin — but she’s not alone. Betrayed by the man she trusted most, she’s trapped in a brutal game of survival.”

Rhys Coiro, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Forrest Goodluck, Gianni Paolo, Renata Vaca and the legendary Katey Sagal star alongside Sophie Turner in Trust.

Twisted Pictures’s Dan Heffner and Ketura Kestin will executive produce the upcoming film with Lena Roklin of Luber Roklin Entertainment. Ethan Harari will co-produce.

Credit to The Wrap for debuting the poster and release information.

Trust is rated R for “violence,...

“Trust,” the upcoming psychological survival thriller starring “Game of Thrones” breakout Sophie Turner, is coming the movie theaters this summer.

The latest feature from actress-director Carlson Young and screenwriter Gigi Levangie will hit theaters Aug. 22, TheWrap can exclusively reveal.

Along with the Monday announcement, Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label) debuted a first-look at the feature’s key art, spotlighting a bruised and bloodied Turner. (Get a peek at that poster below.) “You can hide, but you can’t run,” the poster reads.

Turner stars as a Hollywood starlet who, after an unnamed scandal, “retreats to a remote cabin — but she’s not alone. Betrayed by the man she trusted most, she’s trapped in a brutal game of survival,” the official logline reads. “She can hide, but she can’t run.”

The project co-stars Rhys Coiro, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Forrest Goodluck, Gianni Paolo, Renata Vaca and Katey Sagal.

Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday and Jason X will be released on 4K Ultra HD on May 20 from Arrow Video.

Both the theatrical and unrated cuts of Jason Goes to Hell have been restored in 4K with Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). Original lossless stereo and DTS-hd 5.1 surround audio options are included for both.

The 1993 ninth installment in the Friday the 13th franchise is directed by Adam Marcus from a script by Dean Lorey and Jay Huguely.

Disc 1 – Theatrical Cut:

• Introduction to the film by director Adam Marcus

• Faces of Death, a new interview with special makeup effects creator Robert Kurtzman

• Undercover Angel, a new interview with actor Julie Michaels

• Mixing it Up, a new interview with composer Harry Manfredini

• The Gates of Hell, an archival interview with director Adam Marcus

• Jason vs. Terminator, director Adam Marcus on growing up with the Cunninghams

• Über-Jason, an archival interview with Kane Hodder...

There's good news for Ridley Scott fans today. Gladiator II is now streaming on Paramount+, just two months after its theatrical release.

Gladiator II was released in the United States on Nov. 22, 2024, and the film went on to gross over $455 million worldwide. The highly-anticipated sequel to Scott's original Gladiator starred Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Mescal starred as Lucius Verus Aurelius, the exiled Prince of Rome and the prisoner of war who fights as a gladiator for Macrinus (Washington), a former slave who wants to overthrow twin emperors, Geta (Quinn) and Caracalla (Hechinger).

Related 'Never Been More Scared': Bill Skarsgård Talks Playing Count Orlok Following Official Look Internet Reveal

One month after Nosferatu's theatrical release, Count Orlok is now finally out of the shadows.

Following its release, Gladiator II was well-received by critics, who found the film...

After a dominant run in theaters, Ridley Scott's epic sequel Gladiator II has officially received its Paramount+ release date.

According to Deadline, Gladiator II will premiere on Paramount+ on Jan. 21. The film is currently available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, with the Blu-Ray and DVD editions set to be released on March 4. Despite hitting theaters the same weekend as another massive hit, Wicked, Gladiator II brought audiences to theaters in droves, nearly matching the worldwide haul of its predecessor. The film earned $455 million at the worldwide box office, just $10 million shy of the original Russell Crowe-led film. The sequel was generally well-received, earning a 71% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and was recently nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.

Related Gladiator II Moves Up R-Rated Box Office Ranks, But Faces Loss After Theatrical Run

Gladiator II continues...

Gladiator II has just crossed a new box office milestone, entering the list of the top-grossing R-rated movies ever. Directed by Ridley Scott, the sword-and-sandal epic serves as a sequel to 2000's Gladiator, following Lucius (Paul Mescal) as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Gladiator 2 reviews have been generally positive from critics since the movie's release last November, and the film, which also stars Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, became available on VOD starting December 24 while remaining available in theaters.

According to new data from The Numbers, Gladiator 2 has now grossed a total of $454 million worldwide, comprising $171 million domestic and $282 million from overseas territories. This means the sequel is now among the top 30 highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time, currently occupying 29th place behind 300 (2007).

More to come...

Source: The Numbers

Gladiator II 8/10

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott's award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel,...

Gladiator II helmer Ridley Scott was supposed to be starting work on a movie about the Bee Gees around this time. However, the famous filmmaker has confirmed that he's no longer attached to the project.

Per GQ, Scott addressed what happened with his Bee Gees movie. It was previously reported in 2024 that he was set to direct a film based on the iconic musical group formed in the late 1950s by siblings Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Reportedly, the project was planned to start production with Ridley at the helm in early 2025. However, as Scott has now shared, he walked away from the biopic after Paramount Pictures "changed the goalposts." He admitted that the deal he was wanting for the film was "expensive," but in his own colorful way, insisted that having him on board would have been worth it.

Related 'It's Really Funny': Ridley Scott Settles Oscar Debate Over...

An airplane thriller with 80% on Rotten Tomatoes becomes a global hit on Netflix more than four years after its debut. Though it arrived very late in the year, the airplane thriller premise received a boost with Carry-On. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, with T. J. Fixman writing the script. The story centers on a Tsa officer who's blackmailed into allowing a nerve agent on board a flight during Christmas Eve. The cast of Carry-On is led by Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, and Jason Bateman.

By the start of 2025, Carry-On demolished records to become the fifth-most-watched English-language Netflix Original of all time. That data will soon be backed up by Nielsen's streaming charts. But the initial response underlines the holiday-themed thriller struck a nerve with audiences. Another plane-centric suspense saga is catching on with subscribers, albeit four years after it originally premiered on a rival platform.

Departure Is A...

Gladiator 2's box office leaps into two major all-time highest-grossing movie milestones despite its VOD release.

Per The Numbers, Gladiator 2 is now in the top 25 highest-grossing historical movies of all time both domestically and globally, ranking 25th and 21st respectively.

More to come...

Source: The Numbers

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Gladiator II 8/10

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.

Release Date  November 22, 2024Rating  RRuntime  148 minutesMain Genre  AdventureGenres  Drama, Action, History, Adventure, EpicCast  Chi Lewis Parry, Riana Duce, Alfie Tempest, Lee Charles, Joseph Quinn, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Chidi Ajufo, Connie Nielsen,...

Denzel Washington’s career is a testament to unparalleled talent and range, making him one of the most respected actors of his generation with a laundry list of incredible characters on his resume. Since his feature film debut in 1981’s Carbon Copy, Denzel Washington has consistently delivered powerhouse performances that have left an indelible mark on Hollywood and movie history. Even Denzel Washington's more underrated movies stand the test of time, showing he rarely has a miss in terms of quality.

Denzel Washington’s ability to immerse himself in roles, whether as a cunning villain, a flawed her, or a complex antihero, has earned him a place in cinematic history. With 10 total Academy Award nominations, including seven for Best Actor, Denzel Washington stands as the most-nominated Black actor in Oscars history. Yet despite this remarkable achievement, many of his roles, arguably deserved even more recognition. As Washington celebrates his 70th birthday,...

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal admits he had to fake it to make it in the acting world, sort of. The acclaimed actor shares how a big lie he told led to him landing his breakout role in the romantic psychological drama, Normal People.

Speaking with W Magazine, Mescal revealed he fibbed when he tried out for and eventually landed his role in Normal People, claiming he could drive despite not owning a driver's license. Mescal recalled his white lie to producers before signing the paperwork to join the Irish series when asked if he had to exaggerate about specific skills to land a part. "I said I could drive for Normal People, and I could not drive. We'd signed the paperwork, I'd gotten the part, and then I'd forgotten about doing my driver's license. So I ended up doing Normal People on a provisional license. I could only drive...

Ridley Scott is not someone who minces his words, and in the last week he has had to make amends after making some brutal, “humorous” comments at the expense of the country of Malta, where he filmed a large portion of Gladiator II and his previous epic, Napoleon. Despite his apparent love of filming in Malta – where he claims back a healthy tax rebate - Scott said during an interview promoting Gladiator II that he “wouldn’t advise going there on holiday.” This did not go down well with many people on the Mediterranean island.

During the conversation between Scott and fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan, which was shared on YouTube by Paramount Pictures, Scott was asked about the filming of Gladiator II. His full comment was:

“I’ve shot three times in Malta, Malta is a treasure trove of architecture, [but] I wouldn’t advise going there on holiday. I would...

Denzel Washington might kick a lot of asses in The Equalizer franchise, and he might be causing a lot of trouble in Gladiator 2 thanks to his portrayal of the manipulative Macrinus, but behind the camera he’s actually a pretty chill dude. He’s got a wife, a few kids, and now, when he’s not acting, Washington can probably be found officiating a wedding or two, as he recently got baptized and received his minister's license in a ceremony that took place at Kelly Temple in New York City.

Archbishop Christopher Bryant took to Facebook (seen below) to post about the joyous occasion, saying, "We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister's license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment." The ceremony took place on Saturday, Dec. 21 in NYC at the same church "Washington attended as a child,...

Though many regard Gladiator II as a worthy and engaging sequel to its highly-regarded predecessor, one Oscar-winning director claims the film does not entertain him. Legendary filmmaker Oliver Stone believes the Gladiator follow-up didn't satisfy his appetite, branding Ridley Scott's blockbuster as "empty calories" and nothing more.

During an interview on the Pbd podcast, Stone was asked his thoughts about the Gladiator sequel. Though the three-time Academy Award winner conceded Gladiator II was "watchable" and praised Scott for his work on the film, he claims the historical epic felt "commercial" and lacked emotional resonance. "It’s certainly watchable. It’s good, well-made, usual tight Ridley film, but I didn’t care about the people. I wasn’t invested. The first one was a classic. The second one is empty calories, like a commercial product," the Natural Born Killers director said.

Related MCU Stars Will Reportedly Unite as 2 of the...

Gladiator II continues entertaining the masses and generating strong financial returns for Paramount Pictures, validating the 24-year wait for the epic historical sequel. Over a month after making its cinematic premiere worldwide, the blockbuster battles past another major milestone.

Via Collider, Gladiator II has now grossed over $400 million worldwide since debuting internationally on Nov. 15. The Ridley Scott-helmed follow-up has earned $252.5 million from overseas territories, plus $147.7 million domestically to push it over the $400 million mark globally, making it the 12th-highest-earning movie of 2024. By Dec. 20, the film is expected to move up to 11th when it surpasses another well-received sequel, Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Related Gladiator Producers Confirm a Controversial Actor Was Nearly Cast in Russell Crowe's Role

The Gladiator team initially considered a controversial Hollywood star for the role of Maximus in Ridley Scott's epic.

Though Gladiator II has seen a decent return on its reported $310 million budget,...

Gladiator II has just passed a major box office milestone as the sequel continues to play in theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott, the long-awaited sequel picks up the story 15 years after the end of the original Gladiator, following Paul Mescal's Lucius as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Gladiator 2 got off to a strong start at the box office on November 22, opening with $55 million, but the film's large budget of about $240 million makes its bar for success quite high.

Box Office Mojo now reveals that Gladiator 2 has now crossed $400 million worldwide. This $400 million total comprises $147 million domestic and $252 million internationally. Considering the movie's budget, however, it may still have a ways to go before it breaks even. The sequel is also $65 million away from the original Gladiator's box office haul.

What Gladiator 2's Box Office Milestone Means For The Movie's Profitability How Much Does...

Gladiator II sees Denzel Washington successfully dabbling in the dark side again under the guidance of acclaimed director Ridley Scott. Though he enjoyed playing his complex character in the film, the legendary actor reveals what most excited him about featuring in the epic historical action sequel.

Speaking with Variety, Washington reflected on his time working on Gladiator II, suggesting the best part about starring in the movie was knowing Scott always had the best idea of presenting his and other characters. “You’re in it, not outside of it thinking, ‘This is fun,’” he said. “You don’t know what take the director will use, but with Ridley, you trust him to make the soup.” The Gladiator follow-up was the first time Washington worked alongside Scott since American Gangster, where he portrayed the infamous drug lord Frank Lucas.

Related MCU Stars Will Reportedly Unite as 2 of the Fab Four in...

Legendary director Spike Lee holds the highest regard for iconic actor and long-time collaborator Denzel Washington, considering some of his biggest films featured the fellow Oscar winner. As they prepare to release their latest project together, Lee believes Washington is the "best actor" around and credits the actor's impact on his career.

Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival (via Deadline), Lee expressed how much he savoured his first film alongside Washington since 2006's Inside Man. According to the veteran filmmaker, he is "blessed" to have worked with Washington on five films spanning over three decades. “Someone pointed out to me that the last time we worked together was 18 years ago. I was surprised because it didn’t feel that way. I’m very blessed to have done five films together, he is arguably the best actor on the planet,” Lee said.

Related Denzel Washington Reveals Apology to Black Panther...

A few weeks ago, Hollywood legend Denzel Washington did something he shouldn’t have done. During an appearance on The Today Show, Washington revealed that he was working on a new film in the MCU: Black Panther 3. Nevertheless, he wasn’t supposed to spill the details, and now, Washington reveals he had to call Ryan Coogler in order to apologize for the spoilers about the super-secret sequel in the MCU.

Washington spoke to Variety's Award Circuit podcast, and provided some details about what he had to do after he accidentally spilled the beans about his casting in the third Black Panther movie. But it’s Denzel Washington; half the industry probably already forgave him. Per the actor’s claims:

“Ryan’s a genius. I called him and apologized for talking about the movie, and right there sitting with him was his beautiful wife. He’s still Ryan, humble and full of ideas.

Sam Mendes' upcoming quartet of The Beatles biopics are lining up their top stars, with one reported casting confirmed by a fellow director. Gladiator II helmer Ridley Scott verified the historical epic's lead actor, Paul Mescal, will portray one of the iconic eponymous rock band's members in the planned films.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott stated Mescal is set to appear in The Beatles biopic, helmed by former James Bond franchise director Mendes. Scott, who is slated to be reunited with Mescal for his next project, The Dog Stars, claimed Mescal's work on his The Beatles biopic could delay their work on his thriller feature. “Paul is actually stacked up, doing The Beatles next. So I may have to let him go,” Scott said.

Related 'I Loved Playing That Character': Original X-Men Movie Star Addresses Potential Marvel Return

X-Men franchise alum James Marsden addresses whether or not he thinks...

Gladiator II is the magnum opus of lead actor Paul Mescal's short big-screen career as he leads an all-star cast in a long-awaited and acclaimed sequel. Thanks largely to the historical epic, the Irish star adds a major milestone to his growing CV.

According to Collider, Mescal's movies have now surpassed $400 million at the worldwide box office, with most of that tally coming thanks to Gladiator II. The Ridley Scott-helmed sequel has earned over $369 million globally against its hefty $310 million budget, needing a big push to match the original Gladiator's $465 million haul. Mescal's big-screen career began in 2021 and has largely seen him star in small-budget films, most notably Aftersun ($9.7 million worldwide), which secured him a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.

Related 'She Destroyed Me': Ridley Scott Says 1 Critic Shattered Blade Runner's Box Office Prospects

Ridley Scott asserted that his early films also suffered from "something deeply...

Following the epic success of musicals at the weekend box office — hello, Moana 2 and Wicked! — Saturday Night Live decided to let the other movie playing on screens this season, Gladiator II, also deserved a sing-song-y adaptation. And what better time to do that than while the star of the film, Paul Mescal, is hosting SNL?

"So, after some rushed reshoots, Gladiator II is now...a Musical!" the narration begins. Because, as Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang sing in the introduction, there's no place like Rome, is there?

Welcome to the Rome of 'Gladiator II: The Musical'

"It's the same, violent historical epic audiences have been raving about," the voiceover jokes, "but with an extra 50 minutes of songs."

Strapping on his Roman gladiator best, Mescal quickly turns into the sort of Broadway performer we would not have necessarily pegged him for, giving the amusingly clever lyrics that much more comedic oomph.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II is all about Rome. We first see the empire’s golden boy (General Acacius) heading to Numidia to conquer the territory. Predictably, he emerges victorious. His men return with some slaves, including Lucius, who happens to be Maximus’ long-lost son. Lucius starts serving as a gladiator under the arms dealer and Ludus owner, Macrinus, and it’s only a matter of time before the two men get pitted against each other. The scheming Macrinus wants the throne for himself. Lucius wants to reclaim his rightful place in the empire. Who will emerge victorious?

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4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure

Release Date November 22, 2024Cast Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, May Calamawy, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Lee Charles, Chidi Ajufo, Alfie Tempest, Riana Duce,...

Quick Links A 'Gladiator' Sequel Is Following in a Tried and True Tradition From Prestige Events to B-Movie Dreck Ridley Scott's Quarter-Century Struggle to Resurrect the Old-School Epic

Director Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, currently in theaters, is an increasingly rare entry in the sword and sandal species of film. Arguably the first significant cinematic genre, it became the go-to model for some of the first blockbusters in the 1950s. It came with a lot of baggage and some stigma. For as many historical action films that have inundated theaters since the dawn of the medium, they all tend to stick to a few well-trodden tropes, usually focusing on a single man with a penchant for extreme sports, a mustache-twirling villain, and a black and white tale of revenge. The substance is less the plot than the subtext.

Scott's Gladiator franchise hasn't veered from that formula despite the...

Djimon Hounsou was originally meant to return as Juba in Gladiator II, and I think I've figured out what his role would be and how the movie happened without him. Hounsou was one of Russell Crowe's main co-stars in Ridley Scott's original Gladiator, as he played Juba, a fighter from Nubia who is thrown into the gladiator arena with Maximus. He survived Gladiator's ending, giving me some hope that he'd return in the sequel once it was officially announced. For some time, it appeared that this would happen, as reports circulated that Hounsou would be in Gladiator 2.

Disappointment came when it was later revealed that Honsou's Juba was among Gladiator 2's missing characters. The actor confirmed the news, citing "a pure accident" but assuring that "I was going to be part of it." The reason why Djimon Hounsou is not in Gladiator 2 is still somewhat murky,...

Gladiator II helmer Ridley Scott puts multiple records to the sword as Gladiator II continues to ensure the masses are entertained. The acclaimed filmmaker achieves new career milestones thanks to the historical epic's commercial success.

Via Collider, Scott has now surpassed a fellow legendary director amid Gladiator II's productive box office run, leapfrogging Beetlejuice Beetlejuice helmer Tim Burton to become the ninth-highest-grossing filmmaker in history. Thanks to Gladiator II, Scott has now seen his movies earn $4.9 billion worldwide over a decorated career spanning nearly 50 years.

Related 10 Ways Gladiator II Is Better Than Russell Crowe's Movie

Ridley Scott's Gladiator II is laced with action and drama, and has a few ways in which it improves on the original movie with Russell Crowe.

Meanwhile, Gladiator II is about to become the fifth-highest-earning film in Scott's career. The long-awaited sequel has made $320 million worldwide against its hefty $310 million budget, with $209 million...

Quick Links Denzel Washington's Underhanded Approach Makes Macrinus a Great Villain Macrinus Plays Every Moment With Calculated Precision in 'Gladiator II'

It should come as no surprise that Denzel Washington is the best thing about Gladiator II, given his pedigree as an actor. He has long been regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, with two Academy Award wins under his belt, and many more nominations in addition to other accolades, including a slew of box office hits to go along with more prestige projects that have earned raves. However, with Gladiator II, Washington is having a level of fun that moviegoers haven't seen from him before.

This isn't the first time that the actor has played a villain, but what makes his Oscar-winning turn in Training Day so different from what he showcases in Ridley Scott's historical epic sequel is that Washington...

New casting betting odds have been revealed for the next 007. While Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the odds-on favorite, the star of Gladiator II has risen as the next most likely contender for James Bond.

Recently, Paul Mescal found great success with his role as the lead in the hit sequel Gladiator II. Along with garnering high acclaim and predictions of making a splash at next year's awards season, the film was a major blockbuster, already earning over $320 million since its release. Per the James Bond casting betting odds revealed by Ladbrokes, Mescal is at 2/1 to succeed Daniel Craig as the next 007, following only Taylor-Johnson at 1/1.

Related 'It's a Big Decision': 007 Producer Shares Major Update on James Bond Casting Conditions

Long-time James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson share the profile they seek in the next lead to portray the famous agent.

Other...

Gladiator II helps one legendary actor put a previous career milestone to the sword thanks to its strong theatrical run. Star Denzel Washington earns a new box-office record as the historical epic emerges from its third weekend in theaters.

Via Collider, the Gladiator sequel is now the highest-grossing film of Washington's decorated Hollywood career. At the time of writing, Gladiator II had made $320 million at the global box office, shattering the previous mark held by another collaboration between himself and director Ridley Scott, American Gangster ($267 million). The sequel has made $208.8 million overseas and $111.2 million in domestic cinemas.

Related 'Don't Ever F—ing Put Your Hand on Me': Josh Brolin Recalls Nearly Coming to Blows With Denzel Washington

Josh Brolin, promoting his new memoir, talks about how he almost came to blows with Denzel Washington on the set of American Gangster.

Additionally, Gladiator II has helped Washington eclipse $4.8 billion worldwide...

Gladiator II is Ridley Scott's sequel to his 2000 movie Gladiator. In Gladiator II, familiar faces, new heroes, and a new batch of maniacal rulers appear to transport audiences back to ancient Rome. While there are numerous inaccuracies in Gladiator II, several of the characters portrayed on screen were real individuals from Imperial Rome. Lucilla (played by Connie Neilsen in Gladiator) was real, as were Emperors Caracalla and Geta. The real Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) and Macrinus (Denzel Washington) were very different from how they are presented in Gladiator II but existed, too.

Here are the Gladiator II characters who lived and breathed in ancient Rome and more about their true stories.

4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure

Release Date November 22, 2024Cast Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, May Calamawy, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInnerny, Lee Charles, Chidi Ajufo, Alfie Tempest, Riana Duce,...

24 years after Ridley Scott delivered the Best Picture winner Gladiator, Gladiator II has become the holiday event film alongside Wicked. Despite Russell Crowe's glaring absence, the film stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the grandson of Rome's famed leader, Marcus Aurelius. Set nearly two decades after Aurelius' death, Lucius becomes enslaved and taken from his native land to become a gladiator, where he fights to the death in spectacular Roman Colosseum battles.

Despite Mescal earning solid reviews for his performance, those who've seen Gladiator II are bound to wonder what is happening with his strange accent, which sometimes sounds like a muffled mixture of Bane and Ivan Drago. Whatever went into Mescal's choice to imbue Lucius with such an undefinable patois, his accent becomes distracting far too often in the film. Perhaps chronicling Lucius' homeland will help explain why he sounds so strange in Gladiator II.

4/5 Gladiator II ActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure...

Quick Links Denzel Washington's Macrinus Is the Best Villain in the Franchise Emperor Commodus Was Whiny and Annoying in 'Gladiator'

Very hot take incoming: Gladiator II is better than Gladiator... in one vital area. Ridley Scott's sword-and-sandals action film, starring Russell Crowe, is a timeless classic. No one denies that. The film brought the Felix Legions and the Colosseum to the big screen with a heartbreaking story about family, duty, and revenge. Crowe's performance as Maximus was outstanding and is still one of the best in his career. Ridley Scott's direction is phenomenal, and his dedication to practical effects elevates the film to a whole new level. But (and it's a big but), Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is a bad villain, especially in comparison to Denzel Washington in Gladiator II.

Gladiator II puts a fresh spin on the revenge story from the original movie.

Gladiator II cinematographer John Mathieson slams Ridley Scott's new "lazy" filmmaking style after 24 years of collaboration. Serving as a follow-up to 2000's Gladiator, Scott's sequel follows Maximus' son, Lucius (Paul Mescal), as he becomes a hero of the Colosseum. Reviews for Gladiator 2 haven't been as glowing as those for the original, and, in fact, the lukewarm reception is similar to many of Scott's recent movies.

During a recent interview on The DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast (via ActioNewz), Mathieson criticizes Scott's filming process on Gladiator 2 as "really lazy." According to the Dp, Scott, unlike with many of his earlier movies, prefers to now uses many cameras to capture scenes, which means he "can only light from one angle." Scott's reliance on CGI to remove unwanted elements of a shot has also increased, says Mathieson. Check out the cinematographer's additional comments below:

"It’s the CG [computer graphic] elements now of tidying-up,...

There's a battle erupting in Gladiator II, and it's not just in the Colosseum. Long-time Ridley Scott collaborator, John Mathieson, has labeled the acclaimed filmmaker a "lazy" director following their work together on the long-awaited sequel. Mathieson has been the cinematographer on six of Scott's movies, including the new legacy sequel. The news may come as a shock to many who consider Scott to be one of the greatest filmmakers still working. But, from the cinematographer's point of view, Ridley Scott has reportedly become a nightmare. Appearing on the DocFix podcast, John Mathieson criticized Scott's coverage style of filmmaking, and said the director has now adopted the "lazy" fix it in post attitude that is an editor's worst nightmare.

"It’s really lazy. It’s the CG elements now of tidying-up, leaving things in shot, cameras in shot, microphones in shot, bits of set hanging down, shadows from booms."

According to Mathieson,...

One of the best up-and-coming stars of the 2010s turned leading man of the 2020s, Pedro Pascal is a fantastic and dynamic actor. Rising to fame from his iconic roles on television series like Game of Thrones and Narcos, and then blasting to A-list status with the success of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal has become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, appearing in franchises and auteur-driven projects over the last decade.

Pedro Pascal's fame and popularity are bolstered by some great work in critically acclaimed films over the last few years, where he has shown off his range and versatility as an actor time and time again. In films that have been given the status of Certified Fresh, the highest status on Rotten Tomatoes, Pascal has brought dynamic performances that enhance already great works.

This New Film Is Already One of Pedro Pascal's Best...

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Gladiator II.

Gladiator II is even bloodier than its predecessor, as nearly every major character dies in the sequel. Gladiator's ending features the death of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), with Maximus' death and his legacy continuing to loom over the events and characters in Gladiator II. The original Gladiator also includes the deaths of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), Antonius Proximo (Oliver Reed), Maximus' wife (Giannina Facio), and Maximus' son (Giorgio Cantarini).

Between General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and his troops invading Numidia, the bloodshed during the gladiator games in the Colosseum, and the backstabbing conducted by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), there is copious bloodshed throughout the story and during Gladiator II's ending. Lucius Verus Aurelius (Paul Mescal) is one of the few prominent characters to survive the sequel. While many characters die in Gladiator II, this list...

There are many things you could call Ridley Scott, but lazy isn't one of them. The 86-year-old director is still going strong, with his recently released Gladiator II smashing it at the box office (and earning mixed-to-positive reviews from critics). The film only just hit US theaters, but Scott already has plans for a trilogy. As the idea is still in development, very little is known about Gladiator III. But Ridley Scott just gave us a clue to work with, as he says the threequel will be inspired by one of the most iconic and divisive cinematic trilogies of all-time: The Godfather.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ridley Scott teased that Gladiator III will take narrative queues from Francis Ford Coppola's incredibly divisive The Godfather: Part III. No one will be sleeping with the fishes, nor will any severed horse heads appear in beds (probably) in Gladiator III,...

Lucius in Gladiator II nearly looked very different, as Ridley Scott revealed two other A-list actors were once the front-runners for the role. Normal People star, Paul Mescal, plays the aged-up Prince of Rome (who was first played by Spencer Treat Clark) in Scott's long-awaited sequel. The director said he cast Mescal in the role after unexpectedly binge-watching and loving the hit BBC drama. But, before Scott found himself falling in love with Connell (Mescal's character in the show) and his chain, several other actors were considered to play Lucius.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott reflected on the long journey of getting Gladiator II made. He began developing ideas for the sequel just a few years after the original was released in 2000. In the last five years, when Gladiator II actually began looking like a reality, Scott had considered two incredibly talented young actors for the part. Per THR's report:

"For a time,...

Quick Links Paul Mescal Gained His First Recognition in the Miniseries 'Normal People' 'Gladiator II' Is the Biggest Film of Paul Mescal's Career

Whenever a talented young actor hits the scene, all eyes are fixed on whatever they will do next. That has been the case for Paul Mescal, the 28-year-old Irish actor who has accomplished so much in a relatively short time. All before the age of 30, he has found himself nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, BAFTA TV and Film Awards (going on to win the TV honor), and an Academy Award, and based on the interviews he has given, he seems to lean towards doing work on the stage and indie psychological dramas that allow him to dig deep as an actor.

He doesn't seem to need to be a big movie star, but he has found himself in that position leading Ridley Scott's Gladiator II,...

“Gladiator II” is set in Ancient Rome and North Africa, but where was the Ridley Scott epic actually filmed?

Like the first film, portions were shot in Morocco and Malta, while director Ridley Scott also filmed key scenes in his native England.

Here’s where Rome, the Colosseum and the African kingdom of Numidia were created, some on locations used by Scott in previous films.

Paul Mescal as Lucius in Gladiator II (Credit: Paramount Pictures) The Colosseum was rebuilt in Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara, Malta

The arena where Lucius (Paul Mescal) fights Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) was rebuilt in Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara, Malta, the same location that was used in the first “Gladiator.” The fort, which was built in the 17th century by the Order of St John, was also used in “Troy” and “Napoleon.”

Production designer Arthur Max told Conde Nast Traveler that the crew had significantly less...

Nov. 22 was a big date for moviegoers as two of the most anticipated films premiered on the same date: Gladiator II and Wicked. Both films had strong debuts and together pulled very strong numbers at the box office.

Per Deadline, Universal's adaptation of the popular Broadway musical Wicked soared to the third-biggest domestic debut of the year with $114 million domestically, while Paramount's Gladiator II fought for a $55.5 million domestic debut. Together, the two titles gathered $205 million, the biggest pre-Thanksgiving numbers since 2013's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which had a $226.5 million opening, and only slightly ahead of 2019's Frozen II's opening of $204.9 million. It also marks the biggest post-pandemic pre-Thanksgiving debut.

Related Wicked Earns an A CinemaScore After Universal Praise From Critics & Audiences

Wicked garners a near perfect CinemaScore only a day after the Wizard of Oz prequel musical's theatrical release begins.

Globally, the two movies' grosses are even more impressive.

This article contains spoilers for Gladiator II.

There are plenty of animals in "Gladiator II," from a war rhino ridden by the Colosseum's undefeated champion, Glyceo the Destroyer (Chris Hallaways), to the hungry sharks lurking in the waters during the arena's staged naval battle. But it's the primate kingdom that truly rules this sequel. One monkey puts protagonist Lucius (Paul Mescal) on the path to his destiny, while another plays a pivotal role in a plot to destroy twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

The first monkeys to enter the picture are a troop of baboons, which are unleashed on Lucius and other captives from the conquered kingdom of Numidia. This was a real form of capital punishment in Ancient Rome known as damnatio ad bestias ("condemnation to beasts"), though it was more typical to use animals like lions, leopards, and dogs. Scott told the New Yorker...

After more than two decades of fans hoping and begging for a sequel, Ridley Scott gave moviegoers exactly what they wanted by creating the big-screen extravaganza Gladiator II, the long-awaited follow-up to his Academy Award-winning 2000 historical epic that features Paul Mescal as the fierce and resilient warrior Lucius Verus Aurelius. The sweeping picture follows Lucius as he sets out on a dangerous quest to exact revenge against the powerful and feared General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) after his beloved homeland is invaded.

The character of Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark and is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Russell Crowe's iconic hero Maximus in the original blockbuster hit. Crowe notably received an Oscar for Best Actor for his phenomenal portrayal in the Scott classic, and went to great lengths to try and find a way to be involved in the thrilling sequel; let's check out how...

This article contains Major Spoilers for Gladiator II.

Gladiator II releases with the promise of a budding franchise, setting up the premise for a third installment. Director Ridley Scott didn't hesitate when asked if Gladiator 3 is already in the works.

Director Ridley Scott breathed new life into the swords-and-sandals genre with an exhilarating Gladiator sequel. Gladiator II picks up on the events of the first movie and ends with a hint of a third installment. He told Entertainment Weekly that Gladiator 3 is inevitable, but added that he's yet to dive deep into development. "People say, 'Have you got [a third film]?' And I say, 'Of course,'" he asserted. "That's the knee-jerk answer. Have we got it yet? Not really. I mean, of course, I was thinking about it even when I was doing Gladiator II on the basis of who will survive. It is better if there's a survivor."

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