Premiere - Gladiator II : Paris Audience Immersed in Epic Premiere Hosted by Allociné Club

By Mulder, Paris, Pathe Palace, Room 3, 10 november 2024

On the evening of November 10, 2024, the Allociné Club hosted an exclusive, advance screening of the highly anticipated Gladiator II, filling Paris’s Pathé Palace, Room 3, with eager fans. This wasn’t merely a film preview; it was a celebration, made unforgettable an exceptional surprise appearance by cast members Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Before the screening began, a select group of Allociné Club members competed in a film-themed quiz, vying for collectible merchandise like caps, bath towels, and travel bags emblazoned with Gladiator II motifs. This festive buildup mirrored the excitement that has surrounded Gladiator II since its announcement.

The return to the ancient Roman world, under the seasoned direction of Ridley Scott, sees the narrative picking up where Gladiator left off nearly a quarter of a century ago. This latest installment, produced by Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment, and Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, continues the story of Lucius, portrayed by Paul Mescal, who seeks vengeance against the general Marcus Acacius (Denzel Washington), whose ruthless invasion devastates Lucius’s family. With a stellar cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla, the film promises a powerful, character-driven epic.

Gladiator II has been years in the making, with script and production complexities reminiscent of its ambitious themes. The sequel was first discussed back in 2001, but it took nearly two decades—and considerable interest from fans and Scott himself—to finally bring Lucius's journey to the screen. Scott shared that the story took shape as the tale of a “survivor,” framing Lucius as a character burdened by the violent legacy of Rome and the heroes before him. Scott’s commitment to making this sequel a worthy successor included revisiting historical landscapes, with Morocco, Malta, and the UK serving as filming locations to recreate ancient Rome’s grandeur and brutality.

A high point of this screening, besides the film itself, was the three-minute cameo by Nielsen and Washington, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience. This brief yet meaningful appearance underscored the film’s star power, cementing the experience as a rare cinematic event. Washington’s role as Marcus Acacius not only adds gravitas to the story but also reunites him with Scott, with whom he previously collaborated on American Gangster. Pascal, Mescal, and Quinn, embodying the next generation of gladiators and Roman nobility, each underwent extensive training to authentically portray warriors in the arena. Mescal, in particular, prepared rigorously for the role, adopting a physical regimen that included swordsmanship, horseback riding, and martial arts, embodying a role steeped in both history and myth.

One notable production element included a recreated, digitally enhanced Colosseum, where pivotal battle scenes unfold. This technologically advanced set design allowed for combat choreography on a massive scale, climaxing in a highly anticipated rhinoceros battle, a tribute to Scott’s original vision for Gladiator that could not be realized in the first film. As the sequel came to life, the production team encountered its own epic obstacles, notably a five-month filming hiatus during the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. However, these delays only intensified the sense of accomplishment felt by the cast and crew upon the film's completion.

As Gladiator II heads to global theaters—with release dates in Australia and New Zealand set for November 14, the UK on November 15, and the U.S. on November 22—the anticipation for Lucius’s story is immense. The film’s final cut, running 148 minutes, retains Scott’s distinct cinematic style, emphasizing story and spectacle without the need for a director’s cut. This iteration, crafted by screenwriter David Scarpa, embodies the depth and complexity of a story that began over two millennia ago, exploring power, vengeance, and redemption within the collapsing architecture of Rome’s fading empire.

Critics and fans alike eagerly await the opportunity to return to Rome’s violent, dramatic past. The first trailer, accompanied by No Church in the Wild by Jay-Z and Kanye West, introduced audiences to a bolder, modern vision of Gladiator’s world, generating intense reactions online. This musical choice, though divisive, underscored the film’s modern resonance, paralleling contemporary themes of struggle, justice, and survival. For Mescal, the journey has been especially personal; he recalls watching Gladiator as a young teenager, and now steps into the role of Lucius, transforming himself through extensive physical training to embody Rome’s embattled, defiant hero.

The Allociné Club’s special screening illuminated the excitement surrounding this cinematic return to the ancient world. After two decades, Scott’s vision endures, evolving to capture new audiences and expanding the legendary status of the original film. With talks of a third installment already underway, Gladiator II is poised not only as a singular historical epic but as the bridge to an enduring saga that may well define Scott’s legacy in epic filmmaking.

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Synopsis:
Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum when his country is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must turn to his past to find the strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to his people.

Gladiator II
Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by David Scarpa
Story by Peter Craig, David Scarpa
Based on characters created by David Franzoni
Produced by Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, David Franzoni
With Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington
Director of photography: John Mathieson
Editing: Claire Simpson, Sam Restivo
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams
Production companies: Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment, Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation
Distributed by : Paramount Pictures
Release dates: November 14, 2024 (Australia and New Zealand), November 13, 2024 (France), November 15, 2024 (UK), November 22, 2024 (USA)
Running time: 148 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville