Gladiator 2 Follows in the Footsteps of Russell Crowe’s OG Epic With One Move That Makes Barbenheimer Comments Even More Credible
- ‘Gladiator 2’ and ‘Wicked’ are both hitting theaters on the same day.
- 'Gladiator 2' promises thrilling action, while 'Wicked' invites you on a magical journey.
- Movie fans might get a new buzz, just like last year’s 'Barbenheimer,' with these two films.
You might recall last summer’s cinematic showdown known as ‘Barbenheimer,’ where Barbie and Oppenheimer went head-to-head and created absolute movie magic. Well, get ready again, because this November, we might be in for another high-stakes cinematic face-off that could make last year’s spectacle look like just a warm-up act.
Gladiator 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2000 epic, will storm into theaters this November, bringing with it a battle as intense as its predecessor’s (minus the pink outfits, of course). This new film is set to deliver the same intense action that made the first Gladiator a hit. Expect plenty of bloody battles and historical drama in ancient Rome—enough to keep you riveted!
But that’s not all. The sequel is gearing up to face off against another big player: Wicked, the musical fantasy based on Gregory Maguire’s novel. With both films set to premiere on the same day, moviegoers are in for a bonanza—or perhaps a battle royale of genres.
Gladiator 2 and Wicked Set for Theatrical Showdown, Like ‘Barbenheimer’
The sequel to the Oscar-winning Gladiator promises to bring the heat—literally. A good news for the fans of the 2000 epic is that Gladiator 2 not only pays homage to Russell Crowe’s original but also carves out its own path. Set decades after the first film, it stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, a gladiator with a mighty legacy.
With the original film’s blockbuster success and iconic status, the stakes are high. The film’s R rating for intense bloody battles is a big talking point. It’s clear the sequel won’t shy away from the brutal side of gladiatorial combat.
In a surprising turn of events, Gladiator 2 and Wicked are set to hit theaters on the same day, potentially causing a buzz akin to last year’s ‘Barbenheimer’ frenzy. Last summer, Barbie and Oppenheimer were huge hits. Barbie made its way to being the top film of 2023, raking in $1.44 billion worldwide (via The Numbers). Meanwhile, Oppenheimer made the most money ever for a biopic and came in second for R-rated films with $976.9 million (via The Numbers).
While Gladiator 2 brings epic battles and drama, Wicked will take you on a colorful adventure with witches. Wicked explores how Elphaba (who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (who becomes Glinda the Good) start out as friends.
Paul Mescal Already Has a Name Ready for Gladiator and Wicked
‘Barbenheimer’ is a fun portmanteau of the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer, which came out together in 2023. Just like ‘Barbenheimer,’ Paul Mescal, star of Gladiator 2, also has a clever name for the sequel and Wicked: ‘Glicked.’ The 28-year-old actor said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight:
‘Wickdiator’ doesn’t really roll off the tongue, does it? I think my preference would probably be ‘Glicked’ if it has a similar effect to what it did for Barbie and Oppenheimer. It would be amazing ’cause I think the films couldn’t be more polar opposites, and it worked in that context previously. So, fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend.
As the release date for Gladiator 2 and Wicked gets closer, movie fans have a lot to be excited about. The clash between these two movies—one a dramatic epic and the other a fun musical—might create a hype similar to the excitement around Barbenheimer.
Gladiator 2 and Wicked are set to release on 22 November.
