Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 enters production

Ridley Scott produces alongside Michael Pruss, the president of Scott Free Productions for Paramount Pictures

By Priyanca Rajput 8 Jun 2023

Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 enters production

Production on the sequel to Ridley Scott's historical epic Gladiator has started this month.

Filming locations are set to take place in Malta, Morocco and the UK, and will run for four months.

Gladiator (2000), directed Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson filmed in Malta — from the Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara, to Valletta Ditch in Saint Michael's Bastion to the Grand Harbour in Valletta, as an identical stand-in for ancient Rome.

The original epic centred on Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus, who takes over power and demotes Maximus (Russel Crowe), one of the preferred generals of his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). As a result, Maximus is relegated to fighting till death as a gladiator.

Though the official plot has not been released, it is reported to centre largely on Lucius's (the secret son of Maximus) life as an adult in Ancient Rome.

The top-billed cast includes: Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Djimon Hounsou

David Scarpa has penned the screenplay, who previously worked with Scott as the writer for All the Money in the World. Scott produces the sequel alongside Michael Pruss, the president of Scott Free Productions, and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher from Red Wagon Entertainment.

Janty Yates, the original costume designer for Gladiator, along with Arthur Max, the original production designer, also return for the sequel.

Gladiator 2 is slated for theatrical release by Paramount Pictures on 24 November, 2024.