Gladiator 2 early reactions: will Denzel Washington win his third Oscar?

Image of Denzel Washington as Macrinus in Gladiator 2 trailer

Gladiator 2 has received a thumbs-up from those who've already seen it. Ridley Scott's lavish Roman prequel picks up with the older Lucius (Paul Mescal), a free man turned slave and, in a bit of ret-conning, the son of the late Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe).

Lucius, the son of Maximus' one-time love Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), is caught in the machinations between slave owner Macrinus (Denzel Washington), General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and power-mad emperors Caracella and Geta (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger). The stage is set for an awe-inspiring plunge into ancient and brutal antiquity with the Colosseum battles now featuring ship battles and more eye-widening spectacles.

Has Ridley Scott pulled off his best film in years? How does Mescal bear up against Crowe's burly, Oscar-winning turn? And which cast member is potentially in line for an Oscar this time? Find out below.

Gladiator 2 showcases Ridley Scott at his world-building best


It honours the strength of the original film


Denzel Washington deserves to be a lock for a Best Supporting Actor nomination


Are you not entertained by those reactions? A few weeks from now on November 15th, Gladiator 2 will be released at Cineworld. Imagine where you will be, and it shall be so.

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