Paramount Pictures has launched the official trailer for “Gladiator II”, the upcoming sequel to the 2000 epic historical drama film “Gladiator”.
More than twenty years following the events of “Gladiator”, Lucius Verus (played by Paul Mescal), grandson of Rome’s former Emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla, resides in Numidia with his wife and child. Their tranquil life is disrupted when Roman soldiers, commanded by General Marcus Acacius (portrayed by Pedro Pascal), invade their home, compelling Lucius into slavery. Motivated by Maximus’ heroic tale from the original film, Lucius decides to embrace the path of a gladiator, determined to challenge the authority of the young emperors Caracalla and Geta.
“I remember that day. I never forgot it. That a slave could take revenge against an emperor” Lucius is heard saying in the trailer.
Connie Nielsen (as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius), Denzel Washington, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, May Calamawy and Derek Jacobi also star in the movie.
The “first” Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott. The movie stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, and Richard Harris. The screenplay was written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film is renowned for its grand scale, intense action sequences, and strong performances, particularly by Crowe and Phoenix.
The soundtrack music in the trailer is “No Church in the Wild”, a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West, featuring vocals from Frank Ocean and The-Dream. The track is from their collaborative album Watch the Throne, released in 2011.
Gladiator II is scheduled for release in theaters November 22.
