In anticipation of Gladiator II grows, one of the film's top stars believes Ridley Scott's historical epic has a lot in common with another famous sequel. Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington says the Gladiator sequel is similar to the classic crime drama. The Godfather Part II.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Washington was asked about his tendency to stay away from sequels, as he is known to have been a non-franchise actor for most of his distinguished career. However, Washington insisted that this trend was “not intentional” and believed Gladiator II has similarities with The Godfather Part II because they aren't sequels in the true sense. “I don’t see this (as a sequel). I mean, was Godfather II a sequel?” he said. “The business has changed.” The filmmakers had to follow the business. Ridley reaches back. That's it, and I'm not saying it, comparing it or anything like that, but If Gladiator 1 was the best picture that is Gladiator II.”

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Washington is right, considering The Godfather Part II served as both a prequel and a sequel to The Godfather, It revisits the original film's story of Michael Corleone's (Al Pacino) attempts to protect the family business and chronicles his father Vito's (Robert De Niro) rise to power. Washington's comments about Scott “reaching back” may indicate that the film will have ties to the original The Godfather Part IIwhich is considered the best episode of The Godfather Trilogy and one of the greatest works of cinema.

Ridley Scott's Gladiator II returns 25 years later

Gladiator II takes place 25 years after the original gladiatorScott's five-time Academy Award-winning film, considered one of the best films of the 21st century and a game-changer in the sword-and-sandals genre. The sequel features a new protagonist: Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), the estranged son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who is captured by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and his Roman army before being forced into slavery . Later, Lucius becomes a gladiator under the tutelage of Macrinus (Washington), a former slave of North African descent who became a wealthy arms dealer and vows to take over Rome by any means necessary.

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Washington opined that Macrinus was a misunderstood character, but a deceitful character with a ruthless streak. He said Macrinus would “kill whoever he has to kill and take whatever he wants from whoever he can, which is why he got what he deserved… which we shouldn't talk about.” Washington always had great ones Hopes pinned on it Gladiator II and felt confident in the sequel, having become involved due to his previous work with Scott and his late brother Tony.

The star-studded one Gladiator II Also starring are Joseph Quinn (Emperor Geta), Fred Hechinger (Emperor Caracalla) and Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus), who returns from the original film alongside Nielsen. Early reviews were promising, with some critics calling it one of Scott's best films of all time. Scott called too Gladiator IIthe “best thing I’ve ever done,” with the action sequences and performances being praised.

Gladiator II opens in international cinemas on November 15th before premiering domestically a week later.

Source: Entertainment Tonight

Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus' lover Lucilla, after Maximus's death.

director

Ridley Scott

Release date

November 22, 2024

Pour

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, Chi Lewis Parry, Paul Candelent, Hadrian Howard, Alexander Simkin, Mikhail Basmadjian, Matthew Charlery-Smith, Maxime Durand, Lior Raz

writer

David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni

Main genre

adventure

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment

Sales partner

Paramount Pictures

Character(s)

Lucius Verus, Marcus Acacius, Macrinus, Lucilla, Emperor Caracalla, Emperor Geta, Gracchus

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