Gladiator 2 Completes Filming: The Epic Sequel's Journey to Completion

Filming Delays and Resumption

Gladiator 2 has now officially wrapped its filming, marking a significant milestone in the production of the highly anticipated sequel. The follow-up to Ridley Scott's award-winning 2000 epic Gladiator, the sequel will focus on the story of Lucius Verus, portrayed by Paul Mescal, many years after the death of Russell Crowe's Maximus. Despite being one of the most awaited movies of 2024, Gladiator 2 faced filming delays due to the Hollywood dual strike, which forced the production to shut down. It eventually resumed production in December 2023 after the strikes ended, at which point Scott revealed the movie still needed roughly 90 more minutes of footage.

Paul Mescal posting a photo with Ridley Scott on Instagram

In a conversation with IndieWire, Scott revealed how close Gladiator 2 is to being done, stating that he has 'now finished almost 85 percent of Gladiator.' He expressed the need for ten more days of production before he could complete the sequel. The setback caused by the strike resulted in a loss of four months, delaying the production and editing process. However, the determination to finish the film remained strong, and the team pushed forward to bring the epic sequel to completion.

Split image of Maximus in Gladiator and Paul Mescal in Normal People

The Completion Celebration

The completion of Gladiator 2's filming was celebrated by the cast and crew, marking a major achievement for director Ridley Scott and the entire production team. Paul Mescal, who stars as Lucius Verus in the sequel, took to his private Instagram to share the news with fans. He posted a story with a happy photo alongside Scott, with a brief text that simply said, 'The end.' This celebratory post gave fans a glimpse into the excitement and relief that accompanied the conclusion of filming, signaling the beginning of the next phase in the journey of Gladiator 2.

Looking Ahead to the Release

Since commencing production in May 2023, Gladiator 2 has been filmed in various locations, including Malta, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. The ensemble cast features Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and returning star Connie Nielsen, adding to the anticipation surrounding the sequel. Despite facing setbacks due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Gladiator 2 managed to complete a significant portion of its filming before the production halt. Ridley Scott's dedication to editing the available footage during the hiatus demonstrated the unwavering commitment to bringing the epic sequel to the big screen.

With the completion of filming, the focus now shifts to meeting the November 2024 release date. The promising progress of the sequel's production has raised hopes of meeting this deadline, providing an exciting opportunity for fans to learn more about the plot and characters. While the first looks at the cast and characters are yet to be released, the anticipation for Gladiator 2 continues to grow, with the promise of upcoming images and a trailer for the highly anticipated sequel.