Gladiator II‘s Pedro Pascal describes his experience watching Gladiator. Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic that is directed by Ridley Scott, who also helmed the sequel. It tells the story of a Roman fighter named Maximus, who dies at the end of the first movie. Gladiator II picks up years later, telling the story of Lucius’ son, Maximus. In addition to Pascal, Gladiator II features a leading cast including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn. It is set for release on November 22.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Pascal recounts his experience watching the original 2000 Gladiator. According to the actor, he “saw it in the movie theater when it came out” and even went back and “saw it twice.” The reason he was so attracted to the story, Pascal said, was because of “how emotional the movie was” in addition to being “incredibly visceral and epic.” He says that “sadistically [he] was drawn to it a second time.” Pascal’s memory of watching Gladiator was very vivid, as he can even remember what theater he went to. Check out the full quote from Pascal below:
I saw it in the movie theater when it came out. I saw it twice. Because of how emotional the movie was. Obviously its incredibly visceral and epic and the kind of movie you rarely get to see made these days. It had an impact emotionally. I remember that sadistically I was drawn to it a second time. Because weirdly it was very comforting. I remember it perfectly. It came out in the year 2000, right? I remember what theater I was in and everything.
What This Means For Gladiator II
Pascal Is Emotionally Connected To The Story
Pascal does not directly draw any comparison between his experience watching 2000’s Gladiator and acting in Gladiator II. However, the fact that he felt the emotional potency of the first film suggests that he would want to leave a similar impact on the audience for Gladiator II. This bodes well for Pascal’s performance in Gladiator II, as it is a story he seems to really care about. Hopefully, he and the other actors can deliver performances as powerful as those of Gladiator.
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This emotional clarity will be especially important in a film like Gladiator II. The first Gladiator is brutal as it stands, but according to early reports, Gladiator II will be even more violent than the first. An early viewer specifically described “man-to-man scrappy combat.” This more one-on-one stuff will be even more poignant if audiences have formed a strong connection with the Gladiator II characters, and allow the film to find a strong narrative within what promises to be a movie ripe with gore.
Our Take On Pedro Pascal In Gladiator
Pascal’s Past Work Shows He Has What It Takes
If there is anyone capable of portraying emotional truths within action environments, it is Pascal. In the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us, for example, Pascal’s Joel has to be at once an action hero, warding off infected, and an emotionally tortured man, battling grief and loss. As evidenced by his Emmy nomination, Pascal strikes this balance perfectly. Though a very different story, Gladiator II gives Pascal a chance to mimic this kind of performance skill.
Source: EW
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Writers
- David Scarpa , Peter Craig , David Franzoni
- Cast
- Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz
- Character(s)
- Lucius Verus , Marcus Acacius , Macrinus , Lucilla , Emperor Caracalla , Emperor Geta , Gracchus
- Main Genre
- Adventure