I don’t know if these are Paramount plants, or it’s actually legit, but word keeps trickling out regarding “Gladiator II,” and according to one source, it’s “the real deal.” They’re saying Ridley Scott is a lock for an Oscar nomination, and both Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington will be serious threats to earn acting nods.
The 150-minute sequel, which is set to be unleashed in theaters a little less than six weeks from now, has had consistently good buzz for many months now. There’s no way to know if this will translate into acclaim once released, but it’s certainly a promising start.
Back in July, Deadline’s Pete Hammond had spoken with “a couple of industry veterans,” both Oscar voters, who told him that “Gladiator II” was “fantastic,” and could be a major player in the upcoming Oscar race. The producer very enthusiastically praised the film, saying Mescal was “terrific” and Washington “extraordinary” in it.
In April, “Gladiator II” test screened, and according to a person that attended the screening, the film was “thrilling” and “Oscar worthy.”
Then there was Empire City who claimed that “Gladiator II” was seen as Scott’s best film and that he might have made his first masterpiece in eons. They heaped much praise on Mescal and Scott’s sweeping direction.
A few months ago, a THR report confirmed that Scott’s sequel had its budget “balloon” from $165 million to a whopping $310 million. The piece went on to describe Paramount execs as feeling “terribly vexed” by the whole ordeal, but felt relieved once they saw footage of the film which “blew them away.
“Gladiator 2” is currently scheduled for a November 22, 2024 release.