'Gladiator II' Gets an R Rating

One of the most anticipated sequels of the year, Gladiator 2 continues preparing its arrival in theaters by revealing its official classification.

According to the Cinematographic Association (MPA), body in charge of granting age ratings to feature films based on their content, from the five largest Hollywood studios: Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. and the streaming service, Netflix, Gladiator 2 got the R rating by:

“Strong bloody violence.”

This new Paramount release is set several decades after the events of the acclaimed Gladiator of Ridley Scottwho returns as director. The lead role is played by Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Normal People, All of Us Strangers).

Mescal plays the adult version of Lucius, a role previously played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original installment.

By the way, Scott and his production team built their own Roman coliseum for the film.

Gladiator II It takes place two decades after the events of the first film in ancient Rome; focuses on Lucius (Mescal), grandson of the former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of the emperor Commoduswho resides with his family in Numidia. After ending up in slavery following an invasion led by the Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius wants his own revenge story and competes as a gladiator after being inspired by the exploits of Maximus (Russell Crowe) as a child.

The rest of the great cast is made up of Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) like Emperor Geta, Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus, Thelma) like the Emperor Caracalla, Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Matt Lucas (Wonka), and the returns of Connie Nielsen like Lucilla, and that of Sir Derek Jacobi like Gracchus

Gladiator (2000) from Scott, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, followed the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a former general who is forced to be a common gladiator under the rule of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), a self-proclaimed patricide emperor of Rome.

SYNOPSIS:

“From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue and revenge set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and ​​honor to restore the glory of Rome to its people.”

David Scarpa write the script for Gladiator 2marking a new collaboration with Scott, after having written the script for All the Money in the World.

Scott directs and produces the sequel launched in November 2018. Michael Pruss is also a producer, along with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are executive producers.

Several members of the original film's behind-the-scenes crew have returned to work on the sequel, including director of photography John Matieson, while Arthur Max and Janty Yates return to production design and costume design, respectively.

Paramount set the release date for Gladiator 2 by November 22, 2024.