“Gladiator 2” will have “the greatest action sequences ever,” says Paramount executive

Paramount’s Mark Viane has made the bold claim that Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 will feature some of the “greatest action sequences ever filmed.”

The sequel was shown at the 2024 CineEurope trade fair and included new footage for those in attendance.

At the Barcelona event, all stops were pulled out for Gladiator 2’s performance. A giant cardboard colosseum was built around the main auditorium and Roman legionaries were stationed there.

Gladiator 2 will be shown at CineEurope

The presentation itself featured a previously unreleased trailer and extended footage featuring stars Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal.

During the presentation, Mark Viane, president of Paramount International Theatrical Distribution, gave his opinion on the film’s action sequences. Director Ridley Scott spoke in a video introduction, saying Gladiator 2 is “worth the wait” as the film comes out nearly a quarter century after the original.

Previously, studio bosses were reportedly “blown away” by the first footage of Gladiator 2, so Viane’s comments are in line with that initial enthusiasm.

The upcoming Gladiator sequel will be directed again by Scott, who also directed the original 2000 film starring Russell Crowe. The screenplay was written by David Scarpa, who previously worked with Scott on 2017’s All the Money in the World and 2023’s Napoleon.

Paul Mescal plays Lucius Verus, the son of Connie Nielsen’s character (played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original film) in Gladiator 2. Nielsen also reprises her role as Lucilla.

The film also stars Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Derek Jacobi, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas and Tim McInnerny.

Production on Gladiator 2 began in June 2023. However, it was suspended about a month later due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming resumed in December 2024 and production officially wrapped on January 17, 2024.

Gladiator 2 will be released in US theaters on November 22, 2024.