Gladiator 2 Get Crucial Update From Ridley Scott After Actors Strike End

Gladiator 2 receives a crucial update from returning director Ridley Scott now that the SAG-AFTRA strike is finally over. The upcoming sequel to the Best Picture-winning film from 2000 follows an adult Lucius, the nephew of Commodus, with the all-star Gladiator 2 cast including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal. The sequel started filming in June, but was shut down the following month due to the actors strike. After an historic 118 days, the strike is finally over, and Hollywood productions are finally getting back to work.

In a new interview with Deadline, Scott shared an update on Gladiator 2 now that the SAG-AFTRA strike has finally ended. “Thank God it’s over,” he rejoiced. The director revealed that they will resume filming in a “couple weeks.” They already “shot about 90 minutes,” and they have “another 90 minutes to go,” Scott says. Read his full comments below:

Couple weeks. Thank God it’s over. We shot about 90 minutes, at least that’s finished. It’s really getting the sets cleaned up, they’re already built. I got another 90 minutes to go.

Everything Gladiator 2 Has Filmed So Far

After months of set construction, Gladiator 2 started filming in Morocco in June. Videos, such as one showing Morocco’s Minister of Culture visiting the set, revealed a closer look at the sequel’s massive set and a potential siege scene being filmed. Filming was soon suspended. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike isn’t the only major problem the production has faced. Shortly into filming, an accident involving a fire injured six crew members, two of whom were hospitalized. Gladiator 2 also collected a record-breaking $50 million refund through the Malta Film Commission, which drew backlash from locals.

Related: 10 Most Exciting Things To Expect From Gladiator 2

Gladiator 2 also faced allegations of animal abuse from PETA, including the mistreatment of horses and primates. The production has refuted these claims, saying “there have not been any animal injuries or incidents.” There is a fight scene in Gladiator 2 involving Paul Mescal’s Lucius fighting a pack of baboons, partly inspired by a real video of the primates attacking tourists in Johannesburg. That scene, along with about 90 minutes of footage, has already been shot. Since Scott didn’t specify to the contrary, it sounds like the sequel will be ready in time for its November 22, 2024 release date.

Source: Deadline