We’re not quite sure why major media outlets are puzzled that people are hyped for Gladiator II, Sir Ridley Scott’s return to the Coliseum — after all, didn’t they write articles about how men are always thinking about the Roman Empire just a few months ago? Wouldn’t it make sense that, given that it’s on every man’s mind all the time, they’d be hyped for more sword-and-sandal action?
Still, it’s true: People are fucking stoked to see Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel tear up the screen and set fire to the Ancient World. We’re a day under two months away from when this monster finally hits screens, and given that many people will be flocking to see Joker next week, it makes sense that Paramount would drop a trailer for it and kick the marketing into high gear.
That’s precisely what they did early on Monday morning, and man, it fucking rocks. Take a look:
Here’s a synopsis:
“From legendary director Ridley Scott, ‘Gladiator II’ continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance 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 lead 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 return the glory of Rome to its people.”
Like most Ridley Scott movies nowadays, Gladiator II will hit theaters right around turkey time — specifically, on November 22. It’s like the Cowboys and Lions playing on Thanksgiving: It’s just not the season without a Scott flick in the multiplex, and we hope this tradition keeps going for a long, long time.