This makes me want to rewatch Gladiator. Haven't seen it in probably 15+ years.

If it's very good maybe it'll be an Oscar contender... we'll see

If ID4's sequel could pull $100M WITHOUT Smith (pre-Slap) I feel this can get there. Definitely in but I could see it do much, much more. The nostalgia and love for the original is just too strong and the same director is compelling enough for me. I wouldn't be shocked if we saw some type of flashbacks with de-aged Russell Crowe in there given how advanced the tech is getting too.

Paul who? You can't just replace Russell Crowe like that

Flop

Crowe was close to an unknown globally before Gladiator really (bar here in Oz where he was now at least since Romper Stomper in 92). The IP will help this one.

Great point. There really wasn't any star power when the first movie came out. It opened solidly but legged out for much of the summer. Crowe became a star but the director and concept were the initial star here.

Another thing in Gladiator 2's favor is that it will be Ridley Scott's follow up to a 2023 team up with Joaquin on a Napoleon doc. If that reunion resonates (expect it will, he seems like he could do a very good Napoleon), going to bring lots of buzz to Gladiator 2 as a big historical spectacle.

Oh I forgot about Napoleon coming out this year. That will be a perfect lead-in!

I think Ridley’s in a great spot right now coming off Last Duel and Gucci - as both were good films IMO

Mescal wouldn't be replacing Crowe anyway. He will be playing Lucius, the boy from the first film.

Though I disagree with the claim that because the first didn't rely on starpower this sequel hasn't lost anything by not starring Crowe. It definitely has lost a big part of it because while Crowe wasn't what sparked the first's success he basically IS the film in everybody's mind now. To not have him leading will hurt it. He IS Gladiator. It's so iconic and that status is intertwined with Crowe. This could flop easily if not handled right, that's why I think a sequel to Gladiator is too much of a risk. It should be left alone.

We have to look at the genre this is in. Sword and sandal movies flop left and right in 2023. The Gladiator brand name will mean very little if the cast is changed. Will just look like a lamé ripoff

I'd say 300 2 is a better comparison, though that film did have a decently well known cast and shamefully used Butler in the marketing.

I liked the original script better when Crowe was attached, where it was about Gladiator fights in the afterlife. Not it's just a fake historical epic.

Also, Crowe was on the cusp of blowing up with staring in 2 best picture and one best actor nominee (LA Confidential and the Insider)

Depends on whether Ridley delivers quality wise. I'd bet on box office fail.

Denzel has joined the cast. Reunited with Ridley for the first time since American Gangster.

Barry Keoghan has also joined as his follow up to his Oscar nominated supporting role in The Banshees of Inisherin.

This is DEFINITELY doing $100M+. Denzel's fanbase is incredibly devoted and he's got a great box office track record overall for his non-indie artsy movies. For interest's sake, I had to go back to 1998 to find a movie of Denzel's that didn't come close or surpass the film's budget.

Jan 29, 2021 The Little Things $15,342,746 *Covid lowered grosses so not including.
Jul 20, 2018 The Equalizer 2 $102,084,362
Nov 17, 2017 Roman J. Israel, Esq. $11,962,712 *Awards movie with $13M budget
Dec 16, 2016 Fences $57,682,904 *Awards movie with $24M budget
Sep 23, 2016 The Magnificent Seven $93,432,655
Sep 26, 2014 The Equalizer $101,530,738
Aug 2, 2013 2 Guns $75,612,460
Nov 2, 2012 Flight $93,772,375
Feb 10, 2012 Safe House $126,181,630
Nov 12, 2010 Unstoppable $81,562,942
Jan 15, 2010 The Book of Eli $94,835,059
Jun 12, 2009 The Taking of Pelham 123 $65,452,312
Dec 25, 2007 The Great Debaters $30,226,144 *Awards movie with $15M budget
Nov 2, 2007 American Gangster $130,164,645
Nov 22, 2006 Déjà Vu $64,038,616
Mar 24, 2006 Inside Man $88,634,237
Jul 30, 2004 The Manchurian Candidate $65,948,711
Apr 23, 2004 Man on Fire $77,906,816
Oct 3, 2003 Out of Time $41,083,108
Dec 19, 2002 Antwone Fisher $21,078,145 *Awards movie with $13M budget
Feb 15, 2002 John Q. $71,026,631
Oct 5, 2001 Training Day $76,261,036
Sep 29, 2000 Remember the Titans $115,719,751
Dec 29, 1999 The Hurricane $50,699,241 Awards movie with $50M budget
Nov 5, 1999 The Bone Collector $66,488,090
Nov 6, 1998 The Siege $40,934,175 $70M budget

WW? absolutely

Interesting. Denzel and Barry Keoghan. Hmm.

Ridley Scott's last film with Denzel, American Gangster which also happened to star an actor named...Russell Crowe!

Scott and Crowe also worked on Robin Hood, Body of Lies and A Good Year.

I have a hard time seeing Crowe not have some type of involvement (Ghost, dream, or flashback) with those other two there. A reunion especially for Crowe's marquee film is just too good a chance to pass up. The fans will also love seeing a glimpse of him here even if his character is no longer alive.

I'm intrigued with him in it. This feels very much out of left field for Denzel but here's hoping its a great story if he was willing to jump into a sequel to such a well received original missing its previous lead star.

Here's additional details from Deadline. Sounds very much like he's going to be the new villain perhaps after Phoenix? Sounds like a juicy role that could get him lots of awards buzz.

Gladiator 2 is rumored to have a Superbowl spot.

If it does end up happening, I feel like the football crowd of 20 and 30 somethings from 25 years ago is going to be excited for it.

An ad costs $7M this year so hope it can live up to the hype.

I don't see why it won't make over 100 Million. I have a feeling it's going to be good and do well at the box office. Hopefully I'm right. I blind bought the original in 4K a few years ago but still haven't watched it. I was never that interested in it, but I figured I'd buy it and give it a shot eventually. Now that I'm very interested in the sequel thanks to Paul Mescal being in it, I'll definitely get around to watching the first this year. Now I'm just waiting for the chance to watch it in a theater. I'm sure that will happen before the second comes out.

I feel even more bullish on this one. Marley was completely critic proof when moviegoers wanted to see a movie.

Even without Crowe, the idea of Gladiators, Roman times, Ridley Scott, Denzel, Pedro, Thanksgiving launch, awards season, big nostalgia is going to be huge on this, especially when a trailer comes out.

Denzel is any movie seems to give it a floor of $70M+ so feels like all the other factors will turn this into a big hit. I can see it play well across demos. A shame not to have Crowe involved but if it has a fresh feel like what Twisters achieved in its first trailer it's going to really spike interest.

Seeing $200M+ on this and possible $1B global.

This seems boom or bust to me

Yes, I just can't see how it dips below $200m seeing that the original adjusts to $366m. Yes $366m a quarter of decade later doesn't seem that big, but this film gained most of its audience on home video/DVD.

Still feels kind of weird to think this is actually being released rather than being a joke, parody, or outlandish speculation.

Can’t think of good comparisons at the moment.

Maybe ID4 2? A sequel two decades later but did we really want or need it?

Seems even odder than ID4 to me. That did make 300m which was of course higher on the charts in the 90s. And even if [EDIT: it] wasn’t the best sequel material, it still seemed more easily adaptable than Gladiator for a number of reasons. But then I guess it depends on how convincing the movie seems, especially as a drama. It’s easy not to take many sequels seriously, especially since event films are generally less serious to begin with. But Gladiator is the sort of movie that needs it. Otherwise, why would you advertise that you’re even releasing a sequel to a best picture winner?

I suppose I should watch the trailer; haven’t yet.

No and hell no!

Wait, there’s no real trailer yet is there?