The Gladiator 2 set is nearing completion as an amphitheater in Malta and ancient Roman buildings are being built for a sequel starring Paul Mescal
Production for Gladiator 2 was well underway in Malta as the set appeared to be nearing completion on Thursday.
Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington helm the film, which serves as a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial hit.
Ancient Roman buildings and an amphitheater were built near the coast of Fort Ricasoli to bring the world to life for the highly anticipated blockbuster.
The amphitheater was built in a semicircle, complete with bleacher seating and enormous statues lining the walls.
Other ancient buildings with impressive columns took over the fortress in preparation for the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel.
Production for Gladiator 2 was well underway in Malta as the set appeared to be nearing completion on Thursday
Paul Mescal (pictured) and Denzel Washington lead the film which serves as a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial hit
Ancient Roman buildings and an amphitheater were built near the coast of Fort Ricasoli to bring the world to life for the highly anticipated blockbuster
Scaffolding could be seen surrounding the structures as the finishing touches were put on the impressive sets for the epic.
It comes after filming was thrown into chaos after crew members were reportedly injured in an explosion.
The long-awaited sequel, which comes more than twenty years after the original, was shot in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara.
Few details are available about the incident, but it appears that a special effects shot went wrong and caused the dangerous explosion.
One source on set shared hope that the injured crew members would make a full recovery, although their conditions are unclear.
“It was terrifying: a huge fireball flew up and hit several crew members in its path,” the source recalled. “In all the years I’ve been filming, I’ve never seen such a scary accident.”
The explosion is reportedly under investigation and witnesses to the explosion have reportedly speculated that it may have been caused by a break in the gas line on the set.
“Six production staff had to be rushed to hospital for treatment,” they said, and it appears no actors in the film were injured in the inferno.
The amphitheater was built in a semicircle, complete with bleacher seating and enormous statues lining the walls
An aerial view showed the picturesque location in Malta as much of the scenery around the fortress could be seen
Other ancient buildings with impressive columns as the set took over the fortress in preparation for the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel
One building had a hugely impressive entrance with pillars and a staircase leading up to it. Vehicles were seen putting the finishing touches on the building
Vehicles could be seen queuing outside the old buildings while the sets were under construction
Paul Mescal will lead the new film as Lucius, the nephew of Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) and the secret son of Crowe’s character Maximus
He was played as a child in Spencer Treat Clark’s first film, but the Irish actor will take over the role
While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe will not appear, as his character died at the end of the original film.
“Hopefully everyone is doing well, but it was a serious accident,” the source added.
‘Everyone involved, from the lowest runners to the big names, has been shaken up by this.’
The original historical epic grossed five times its budget, and it helped cement the stardom of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Russell will not be seen, as his character died at the end of the original film.
Paul Mescal will lead the new film as Lucius, the nephew of Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) and the secret son of Crowe’s character Maximus, who was saved by his father in the original film.
He was played as a child in Spencer Treat Clark’s first film, but the Irish actor will take over the role.
One building had a grand staircase leading to a huge pillared entrance to a grand building
Patterned floors were seen being placed in the entrance of a building as it transformed into the ancient world
Scaffolding could be seen surrounding the structures as the finishing touches were put on the impressive sets for the epic
The set was surrounded by beautiful scenery as the actors will film scenes in Malta
It comes after filming was thrown into chaos after crew members were reportedly injured in an explosion (Picture: Malta set location)
The long-awaited sequel was shot in Morocco and the adjacent Sahara Desert (photo: the set in Malta)
The original Gladiator grossed five times its budget, and it helped cement the stardom of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix (Russell Crowe featured in Gladiator, 2000)
Connie Neilsen will reprise her role as Lucilla, his mother, while Derek Jacobi will also return as a Roman senator and Djimon Hounsou will be back as a former gladiator and friend of Maximus.
Denzel Washington plays a major role in the cast, although his character has not yet been revealed.
Pedro Pascal and Matt Lucas are among the new cast members, and Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn will play Emperor Caracalla, who is often portrayed as a tyrant in the history of the time.
Gladiator 2 is expected to hit theaters in late 2024.