Anything Ridley Scott does is heavily anticipated, so it’s not surprising that the director’s newest project has an all star cast. The upcoming summer release reunites Scott with Josh Brolin of Thanos and Goonies fame. This isn’t the first time Brolin has teamed up with the director, as the two previously worked together on American Gangster, but it sounds like it may be the first time he immediately regretted his decisions.

However, despite an amazing cast that also includes Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Allison Janney, Brolin nearly walked away from what he's called one of “most satisfying projects” he’s worked on. When the actor arrived in Italy, he was excited and eager to take on the role, but his first day didn’t go as he planned. So why did he try to quit Scott’s new movie after just one day? He explains to Empire:

The director is known for his unconventional style, which is attributed to his desire to keep the immediate energy of a scene. This means there isn’t always a lot of rehearsal. The Dog Stars follows an apocalyptic world struggling in the wake of a deadly flu virus. The concept gives me 12 Monkeys vibes. However, I can’t think of anyone better to direct the book-to-screen adaptation by Peter Heller. (This isn’t the only adaptation in the works for the director, who more recently teamed up with Hugh Jackman for Treasure Island.)

In The Dog Stars, Brolin plays a gun-toting neighbor living near Elordi’s protagonist. It’s hard to imagine what would have happened if the actor had gone through with walking away from the project. He credits Scott for changing his mind:

The Dog Stars has already dropped an intense trailer that gives a sneak peek at the gritty apocalyptic world with little teases of the action to come. Elorid’s Hig is introduced, along with his plane, and a vivid exploration of how gritty the world has become. You even see Hig’s pet dog. Though any time a canine is in an apocalyptic movie, I’m instantly stressed thanks to I Am Legend.

The movie looks like it’s going to be as intense as it will be action-packed. Could this be Scott’s chance to finally get an Oscar? The director is known for his historical projects, so stepping outside of that genre could give him the right amount of attention. Ironically, this is the lesson Brolin has taken away from working on the film. He states:

If Brolin had walked away, The Dog Stars would be a completely different film, and I think the actor would have regretted the decision. He has previously shared about enjoying work that is a little bit unconventional, such as when he dropped an F-bomb describing his time as Thanos. Wearing a onesie and a lot of dots was perhaps what he needed to step out of his comfort zone for The Dog Stars.

Brolin has a presence that works for any genre, but it always feels extra special to see the actor show up in sci-fi. While it may have taken him time to get into the rhythm of Scott's methods, I know fans are glad he stuck around.

The Dog Stars is set to hit theaters on August 28, 2026.

Hugh Jackman has played various roles over the course of his career and, in the process of embodying those characters, he’s had to sport some serious facial hair. Jackman’s Wolverine beard is practically legendary at this point, and moviegoers can’t forget about those whiskers he has while playing Blackbeard in 2015’s Pan. Most recently, Jackman donned a wild mustache for The Death of Robin Hood. Now, Jackman’s set to play a big role in Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island, and I’m wondering if he’ll sport a wild beard in it.

In Ridley Scott’s upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of Treasure Island, Hugh Jackman will reportedly play Long John Silver, who’s arguably one of literature’s most iconic characters. Scott is directing the film from a screenplay written by Jack Thorne, who’s been receiving plenty of buzz as of late for his acclaimed TV adaptation of Lord of the Flies. Additionally, Thorne is set to serve as executive producer on the adventure flick, per Deadline.

The mere thought of Scott creating his own big-screen interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved 1883 pirate novel is just so exciting. Given this is the filmmaker behind massive movies like Alien, Gladiator and The Martian, I’m expecting a massive movie chock full of nautical adventure as well as some genuine catharsis. Something I’m also wondering is who might play the role of the main protagonist, Jim Hawkins. All I can say is whoever’s cast will need to have the chops to share the screen with Jackman.

Casting Jackman as Long John Silver honestly feels like a no-brainer, as the Oscar-nominated actor could bring a considerable amount of gravitas to the role of the opportunistic, one-legged pirate. By taking on the role, Jackman will be following in the footsteps of other actors who’ve effectively played the role like Orson Welles, Charlton Heston and Tim Curry. I have no doubt Jackman will bring his A-game from a performance standpoint, though there’s still the matter of a beard.

I obviously can’t say for sure what Scott may be going for in regard to Silver’s look, but I think there’s a solid chance he’ll sport facial hair of some kind as opposed to be clean shaven. That assumption comes mainly from other iterations of the character. Heston’s version had some whiskers, while both Welles and Curry’s Silvers had full beards. I could certainly see Jackman growing a beard and maybe even long locks for his latest pirate role but, then again, he and Scott may surprise us.

Speaking of surprises, I wasn’t expecting to see Jackman sport such wild facial hair in The Death of Robin Hood. But then, again, I wasn’t expecting the first trailer to show such a brutal take on the archer. Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, the film sees an older Hood reflecting on the unsavory choices he’s made over the course of his life while he faces his mortality. Considering that, the character’s mustache is likely far more than a statement, as it also seems to indicate how time has impacted this rumpled antihero.

Hopefully, Jackman’s take on Long John Silver will also seek to subvert what readers think they know about the character. There’s no indication as to when moviegoers may actually see that movie, though, as a studio has yet to formally pick it up off the market. However, insiders believe Scott will reunite with 20th Century Studios for the flick. I’m eager to see how this movie comes together, and fans may want to keep an eye on Jackman’s social media accounts to see if he starts growing any hair on his chinny chin chin.

Check out Hugh Jackman’s mustache – as well as plenty of intense action – in The Death of Robin Hood, which opens in theaters on June 19 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

On the heels of two historical epics — 2023’s Napoleon and 2024’s Gladiator II — Ridley Scott is making a welcome return to the sci-fi genre with The Dog Stars, with Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi as its lead alongside Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley. The first full-length trailer has arrived, as seen above, and while I’m not sure this new action movie will be the one to give Scott his Oscar dues, it does look exciting as all hell.

And yeah, a big chunk of my excitement stems from the brief, mysterious, and arguably fetching shots of Oscar and Emmy winner Allison Janney in there. But we’ll get to her shortly.

The Dog Stars' Post-Apocalypse Looks Peaceful Until It Doesn't

Ridley Scott is taking viewers into a far different near future than the settings of his most classic science-fiction films. (Namely Alien and Blade Runner, but we can throw in The Martian and one other of the reader's choice.) Those familiar with the book-to-screen film's source material, Peter Heller's 2012 novel of the same name, are in the loop on the global pandemic that largely wiped out the population. Early on in the trailer, life appears tough but almost strangely idyllic, in a "Back in the good ol' days" kind of way.

As Hig, Elordi is a former pilot making a go at survival with Bangley (Brolin), an ex-Marine with an edge, and Cima (Qualley), a medic with an eye (and heart) for Hig. Unfortunately, it isn't long before the peaceful facade is revealed to be just that, and the bonkers-looking threats are revealed.

The Dog Stars appears to be the first 2026 movie release to go all-in on using night-vision as a visual aesthetic, which seems like a brilliant plan to play into the bizarre looks of the more feral survivors that seem to be overtaking any area they go running into. It seems like they're all still maintaining human traits, though, and haven't gone all Rage virus-zombie. But in those shots, they also look like members of a trippy Toxic Avenger tribute band, so who knows?

Whatever the case, as soon as the trailer gets intense, Jacob Elordi lights it up in what could very well be the role that sends him into a more action-heavy career path. It's a character that Brolin would have been great for had this been made 20 years ago, and Elordi fills the space quite convincingly. His performances in historical dramas and romances don't exactly scream "bad-ss," but it's a good look, and it can only help his Bond chances, if those rumors are to be believed.

Whatever Is Up With Allison Janney's Character, I'm All For It

The fourth-billed star of The Dog Stars, Allison Janney only appears fleetingly - still more so than Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong - but those quick shots are enough to spark some obsessive feelings. Totally normal ones, though! Well, mostly.

I mean, she instantly stands apart from other characters, in that she's basically in head-to-toe Pan Am flight attendant cosplay, while everyone else is dressed in the usual drab looks that accompany apocalypses. She's also tending bar, which feels like it has to be a major luxury in a world so broken. In large part because there's electricity there, as opposed to other settings shown in the trailer. Speaking of...

Okay, so Janney's unnamed character has both booze AND cigarettes, so she must be royalty or something. And bar lights are certainly not the extent of her electricity usage. As seen above, she apparently has access to security camera footage, presumably to make sure none of the wild shirtless people come trying to take her stuff. But how does she have all of this, while everyone else is slumming it?

That's the part I'm really obsessing over, and definitely not Janney in that blue get-up with a martini glass in her hand. Definitely not that. Now somebody open a window in here or something.

The Dog Stars is set to release in theaters on August 28, 2026.

Ridley Scott has been making classic movies for half a century, and while he’s been nominated four times for an Oscar, he’s yet to win one in his career. That unlucky streak could change with his next movie, a book-to-screen adaptation of the novel The Dog Stars by Peter Heller, coming out later this year. We’re still way too far away from the 99th Academy Awards to make predictions, but from the sound of it, this genre project might be a serious contender.

There is one big reason that I think Scott's new movie, which admittedly we don't know a ton about, could get him at least to the ceremony with a shot to win. Plus, it's not like having Frankenstein's Jacob Elordi in the starring role is going to hurt a single bit.

The Dog Stars Is Sci-Fi, Not Historical

Across his long career, many (though hardly all) of Scott’s movies can fit into two categories: historical dramas and science fiction. He is much better at making the latter. [Don't come at me, history bros.]

Scott’s list of sci-fi movies includes some of the best the genre has ever seen, like Blade Runner, Alien, The Martian, and Alien: Covenant. Those first two alone are giants in the genre, still revered today, decades after they were first released.

On the other hand, when he tries to go out and win an Oscar, I have to say, I’m usually disappointed. I’m talking about historical dramas like 2023’s Napoleon, 2024’s Gladiator II, and the absolutely abysmal 1492: Conquest of Paradise, released in concert with the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first trip to the Americas. I love Ridley Scott’s work on the whole, but I can’t stand any of those movies (though some may and do disagree). He’s a master at science fiction (and crime dramas), and his historical works have at least as much fiction in them.

Let’s Be Real, Scott Deserves One

Scott has been nominated for Best Director three times, earning his first nomination for Thelma & Louise in 1992, but losing to Jonathan Demme for The Silence of the Lambs. His next nomination came in 2001 for Gladiator, which won five Oscars including Best Picture, but none for Scott himself, as Steven Soderbergh took home Best Director for Traffic. His most recent – and this is hard to believe – came back in 2002 for Black Hawk Down, but he lost that year to Ron Howard and A Beautiful Mind. Scott earned a fourth Oscar nomination as a producer of The Martian in 2016, but it lost in the Best Picture category to Spotlight.

It’s crazy to think that the guy who made all those movies, plus classics like Blade Runner, Alien, Matchstick Men, and American Gangster, hasn’t won an Oscar. Sure, he’s had some duds along the way, but when you’re cranking out a movie every one or two years, there are bound to be a few that don’t land. When Scott does land one, though, it’s great. AS I said in the beginning, having Jacob Elordi, coming off his Oscar nomination at the 98th Academy Awards last month, will only help.

I hope The Dog Stars, coming this summer to the 2026 movie schedule, is one of those. I’d love to see him up on that stage accepting a gold statue, and let’s be honest, Scott is nearly 90-years-old, so who knows how many more films he has left in him. He deserves an Oscar.

The superhero genre keeps going strong, and fans who watched the DC movies in order have recently been introduced to a new shared universe. Crafted by co-CEO James Gunn, the DCU is still in its infancy, with a handful of projects released in theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. The next upcoming DC movie is Supergirl, and it's star Milly Alcock recently responded to folks like Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott who have criticized comic book movies.

Back in 2019, Scorsese claimed that superhero movies "aren't cinema" starting a debate that's still going strong today. Some have taken the legendary filmmaker's side, while others have stuck up for genre work. While speaking with Vanity Fair Alcock shared her own thoughts, offering:

There you have it. While Milly Alcock is best known for starring as Supergirl and as pat of the House of the Dragon cast, she doesn't mind that some famous directors aren't fond of genre work. Art is subjective, so folks like Scorsese and Scott (who called comic book movies "boring") are entitled to their opinions. Sounds like a healthy perspective to me.

This is a great perspective for the 25 year-old actress to have, especially as she's early in her tenure as Kara Zor-El in the DCU. While this is a huge opportunity that could make her a household name, it's also a gig that opens her up to a ton of criticism. But she seems to understand that everyone is going to have their own opinions, and there are folks who simply don't enjoy comic book movies.

Alcock debuted as Kara with a Superman cameo, debuting her drunk Kryptonian to audiences. Anticipation for her solo film has been steadily building, especially after Supergirl's full trailer was released. As a reminder, you can check it out below:

While superhero movies aren't for everyone, this movie has something for everyone. Namely because of the emphasis on Krypto, who is once again in danger in his second appearance in the shared universe. Who doesn't love dogs... especially if they have superpowers?

This above trailer is definitely giving some Guardians of the Galaxy vibes, even if James Gunn isn't actually the director. The cosmic story, flawed hero, emphasis on classic rock, and adorable sidekick all bring those sensibilities to the table. But if Krypto dies I will riot in the streets.

All will be revealed when Supergirl hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Although we can assume Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott won't be in attendance.

When it comes to the best war movies, few come close to the intensity of Black Hawk Down. Inspired by the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, Ridley Scott’s star-studded thriller follows a group of elite soldiers as they find themselves in a brutal fight for survival after a mission goes awry. Based on what cast member Orlando Bloom has said, making the movie wasn’t for the faint of heart.

Recently, the Lord of the Rings star opened up about playing Todd Blackburn in one of his first major film roles. During an appearance at Fan Expo Chicago 2025 (via EW), he said the experience "was like from the frying pan into the fire" and that he was "being ordered around and screamed at” before filming even began. In fact, the actor spared few details when talking about what it took to be a part of Black Hawk Down.

Though Bloom was able to push through his injuries and be a part of the eventual shoot, Ben Foster wasn’t as lucky. Originally set to play Jamie Smith, Foster “properly tore his groin muscle” and actually had to be recast due to the severity of his injury. It sounds like an ordeal, to say the least.

Putting actors through an intensive training program before a single frame is shot seems very on-brand for Ridley Scott, a filmmaker known for not settling for anything less than perfection, or at least authenticity. When asked about the demanding process of getting ready for one of the most realistic war movies ever made, Bloom responded:

Though Bloom had a very tough go at it while training for one of his breakout performances, when it came time to shoot the movie in Morocco, he had a different problem. Due to his character only being in a small portion of Black Hawk Down – he falls out of the helicopter and is injured – Bloom found himself on a start-and-stop shooting schedule for the better part of six months:

That said, the Pirates of the Caribbean star did admit he had a “great time in Morocco,” as he was able to travel between shooting days and learn a lot about the different cultures of the African nation.

It has been nearly 25 years since Black Hawk Down introduced Orlando Bloom to the intensity of basic training and the even more intense process of being in one of the best Ridley Scott movies, but it’s something that he’s still very proud of after all this time.

Remember that iconic scene of Maximus Decimus Meridius walking through a field of wheat at the beginning of Gladiator? Given it's one of the best 2000s movies , I'm guessing we're all familiar with the shot, and probably even recreated it at least once or twice while ambling around. But did you know that this legendary opening scene from the Best Picture winner wasn’t even planned and didn’t actually even feature Russell Crowe?

Gladiator is seen as one of Ridley Scott’s best movies, and the shot of Maximus grazing his hand over the top of the wheat has become a signature moment, and perfectly sets the tone for the dramatic story that unfolds. However, it was actually a happy accident that occurred after the director got onto Crowe’s body-double on the final day of shooting, as Scott told Deadline:

Wait, so Ridley Scott is telling us that the shot, seemingly of Crowe, and one that’s become instantly recognizable over the years, didn’t even involve the actor? Well, huh. Instead of an actor who was on the way to becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, it was his double taking a break to have a smoke near a wheatfield when a director suddenly got a great idea.

When Scott was pressed about this revelation, the legendary filmmaker, who somehow has never won an Oscar, added some additional details to this incredible behind-the-scenes Gladiator story. This includes a tidbit about the importance of being spontaneous while on set.

The combination of the visuals and Hans Zimmer’s remarkable score not only created an unforgettable movie moment we’re still going crazy for 25 years after the movie was first released, but also set the tone for Maximus’ story of redemption that played out in the Coliseum. It’s well known that the Gladiator script went through several changes as the movie was coming together, and this small-yet-crucial alteration paid off handsomely.

Now you know the story behind how Ridley Scott (not to mention a body-double deciding to take a smoke break at possibly the best time in the history of Hollywood) led to one of the greatest opening shots of all time. You can revisit the scene and the rest of the movie now, as Gladiator is one of the best free movies streaming.

Ridley Scott is one of the most iconic filmmakers of all time, and Jacob Elordi is one of the biggest up-and-coming actors right now. While both of those are nothing new to anyone who watches movies, did you know that these two are teaming up for the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of The Dog Stars? No? Well, you’ve come to the right place, because I’m about to break down everything we know about this new sci-fi film set in a post-apocalyptic world brought to the brink by a flu pandemic.

So, if you want to learn more about this hotly anticipated movie that will also see performances from the likes of Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin, or how to check out Peter Heller’s novel on which it was based, come along. Here’s everything we know about The Dog Stars, including its release date, cast, and story. This one sounds mighty good…

What Is The Dog Stars Release Date?

So, when’s the Dog Stars release date? According to Deadline, the new post-apocalyptic thriller will land on the big screen on August 28, 2026. The movie was originally set to debut on the 2026 movie schedule in March, but Disney had a big reshuffling just before Christmas and moved several titles like Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, They Will Kill You, and Gatto, a new Pixar movie.

The Dog Stars is coming out on what’s shaping up to be a busy weekend near the end of the summer Blockbuster season, as Coyote vs. Acme and Cliffhanger will also be coming out. Looks like we’ll be going to the movies quite a bit next summer.

The Dog Stars Cast

When The Dog Stars opens before the end of next summer, it will bring with it an all-star cast of established Hollywood stars and one of the biggest young actresses on the planet, alongside Jacob Elordi. That said, let’s break down everyone on the Dog Stars cast who has been announced so far, per Variety:

• Jacob Elordi as Hig
• Margaret Qualley as Cima
• Josh Brolin
• Guy Pearce
• Benedict Wong

As of the time of this writing, only Elordi and Qualley’s characters’ names have been revealed, but we should know the other actors’ roles well ahead of the film’s release. It should also be noted that Golden Globe nominee Paul Mescal was originally set to lead The Dog Stars, but he had to drop out back in January 2025, per Variety.

What Is The Dog Stars About?

So, what is The Dog Stars about? We know it’s based on Peter Heller’s 2013novel of the same name, but what’s the nitty-gritty of the story?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming sci-fi flick will center on a pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi), a civilian pilot living on an abandoned airbase with his trusty dog and a former Marine (played by Josh Brolin). Set years after a deadly flu pandemic wiped out most of human civilization, the pilot, Marine, and dog waste their days until a mysterious transmission gives them hope that there is hope for others somewhere on the desolated planet.

When speaking with Collider back in June 2025, Ridley Scott shared some details about the tone of the story, comparing it more to his 2015 adventure film The Martian than The Road:

Who knows, maybe we’ll be talking about The Dog Stars when the Golden Globe nominations for Best Musical or Comedy are announced next year.

How To Read (Or Listen To) The Dog Stars Book

There is still close to eight months until The Dog Stars lands on the big screen, which means there’s still plenty of time to read Peter Heller’s 2013 sci-fi novel while you wait. So, how do you go about making this happen? Well, there are a variety of ways to check out the much-talked-about book before the movie takes off.

You can pick up a paperback copy from online retailers like Amazon, traditional bookstores, and even your local library, if you want to save a few bucks. But what if you don’t have time to read a book and prefer to listen to audiobooks while commuting, exercising, or catching up on household chores? Well, there are options for that as well.

There’s no shortage of audiobooks to listen to before they’re turned into movies and TV shows, and The Dog Stars is another great option. You can use your Amazon subscription to access Audible audiobooks like this one. If you have Spotify Premium, you can also listen to the audiobook at no extra cost, as the subscription grants you 15 free hours of listening time per month.

Ridley Scott Isn’t The Only Decorated Behind-The-Scenes Player Invovled With The Dog Stars

There’s some massive talent in the Dog Stars cast, and Ridley Scott is a living legend at this point, but those aren’t the only major players involved with the upcoming Searchlight Pictures movie. As reported in the Deadline article above, Mark L. Smith and Christopher Wilkinson adapted Peter Heller’s novel. While those aren’t necessarily well-known names to general moviegoers, both have built up some decent resumes over the years.

Smith most recently wrote 2024’s Twisters, which should be a good sign for those wondering how the action will be written. He also penned the scripts for The Revenant, The Boys in the Boat, and Overlord in recent years. Wilkinson’s credits include Nixon, Ali, and Birth of the Dragon.

It should also be noted that Erik Messerschmidt, who won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography following his work on Mank, is serving as the director of photography on The Dog Stars. Messerchmidt previously worked with Scott on shows like Raised by Wolves and Dope Thief.

Production On The Dog Stars Wrapped In June 2025

In the Collider interview mentioned earlier, Ridley Scott revealed that not only had cameras started rolling on the film, but production was actually about to wrap. That said, it will probably be some time before we get to see a teaser trailer for the new movie, as there will surely be a great deal of post-production work needed in the weeks and months ahead.

Expect to hear a whole lot more about The Dog Stars in the coming weeks and months, especially as more details are announced about its story and cast.

Two major Hollywood voices have recently weighed in on the state of the 2025 movie schedule and film industry as a whole, and neither is exactly thrilled. Legendary director Ridley Scott and actor-producer Channing Tatum have shared their candid thoughts about the pressures and pitfalls of modern moviemaking.

What Ridley Scott Said

During a recent screen talk at the BFI Southbank on Sunday, October 5, Ridley Scott joined a Q&A session and didn’t mince words when asked if he’s been keeping up with anything on the movie or October TV schedule. Maybe he’s been eyeing Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth with his Hulu subscription. After all, he knows that world better than most. But per Yahoo! News, the legendary Alien director offered a blunt take, saying:

One title in his oeuvre in particular left him stunned. The Blade Runner creator added:

It’s tough to argue with that take, as Black Hawk Down is widely regarded as one of the most intense and realistic war movies ever made, with a stacked cast to match. Still, praising your own work? That’s a bold vibe.

While Scott admitted that the industry occasionally produces something worthwhile, he called it a rarity, saying it feels like a “relief” when a genuinely good film breaks through the noise.

Channing Tatum's Take

While Scott speaks from the vantage of a director and elder statesman of cinema, Channing Tatum recently offered his own perspective from inside the Hollywood machine, and it’s equally disheartening. During a recent Hot Ones interview, the Magic Mike star discussed the complex and often compromised state of film development today. He explained to the host:

The actor didn’t name names, but his frustration seemed to echo a larger sentiment felt by both artists and audiences, which is that it’s harder than ever to get genuinely great, original work made when the economics are built around predictability and profits.

The Two Share Similar Concerns From Different Angles

Although Ridley Scott and Channing Tatum come from different corners of Hollywood, they agree on one thing: too many movies are being made for the wrong reasons. Whether it’s creative compromise, studio interference, or franchise overload, both point to an industry that often sidelines quality — and even when strong films do get made, as with The Rock’s The Smashing Machine (which performed poorly), they don't always do well at the box office, as the audience doesn’t always show up.

It’s worth noting, despite their concerns with the industry, neither Scott nor Tatum is stepping away from the game. The filmmaker’s next project, The Dog Stars, is slated to release on the 2026 movie release schedule. As for Tatum, he is set to return to the big screen soon with Roofman, a new NSFW crime drama that is scheduled to land in theaters on October 10th and is already generating buzz.

Now that the release of Superman has launched James Gunn’s DCU, comic book fans are awaiting what actors will play the other main heroes in upcoming DC movies. The White Lotus and Mayfair Witches actress Alexandra Daddario has been a front-running favorite for Wonder Woman as of late, but the actress is staying booked and busy with a new role that has nothing to do with crimefighting.

Alexandra Daddario Has Been A Favorite For Wonder Woman As We Wait For The Role To Be Cast

James Gunn has said the next Wonder Woman movie is being written and it’s currently a “priority” at DC Studios, but the big question on everyone’s minds is which actress will follow Gal Gadot as Diana Prince. There are a lot of fan favorites out there, but the passion for Alexandra Daddario to take on the role has been all over the internet for years through Wonder Woman fan art because she has such a striking resemblance to the comic book character.

Funny enough, Daddario has been part of the DC world before as the voice of Lois Lane in Superman: Man Of Tomorrow and the Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy, but we’ll have to wait and see if she ends up being in the official mix for the role of Wonder Woman in the new DC Universe.

But, The Actress Is Booked For A Horror Movie Filming Early 2026

While the fancasting continues, Daddario just found her next role in one of the latest newly-announced upcoming horror movies. She’s set to be in a movie called Inground with Star Trek’s John Cho, per Deadline, which will be produced by Ridley Scott. The movie is said to be about a recently divorced father who decided to try to reconnect with his young son by building a swimming pool in his backyard for them both to enjoy. However, as the logline reads “what begins as an exciting project turns into a terrifying nightmare.”

The report doesn’t reveal Daddario’s role, but the movie is apparently going to start filming in March of 2026, with director Aaron Katz helming from a script by American Horror Story writer Dan Dworkin. It sounds like a fun project for Daddario, who has recently been a regular in the genre, most notably as the star of Mayfair Witches for AMC.

The 39-year-old actress is also in the upcoming biopic about the Hershey chocolate founder and his wife, where Daddario will play Kitty Hershey alongside Finn Wittrock’s Milton S. Hershey. The movie from Mean Girls director Mark Waters is likely to be among the 2026 movie releases. As Daddario continues to be a popular name in Hollywood, we do wonder if she really will have a shot at the DCU (should she want the role) after she’s long been a popular choice for Wonder Woman among the people.

Mild spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet watched Alien: Earth on FX or with a Hulu subscription.

FX’s Alien: Earth has finally landed on the 2025 TV schedule, bringing with it a new chapter in the Alien movie timeline spearheaded by Fargo’s Noah Hawley and the show’s impressive cast. While it seems like the new sci-fi series will deviate from the canon somewhat, there is one aspect of Ridley Scott’s original classic that came back this time: practical Xenomorphs.

Ahead of the new Hulu arrival’s debut, CinemaBlend sat down with members of the Alien: Earth cast to talk about what it was like sharing the screen with one of the scariest movie monsters of all time. When asked if there was a period of adjustment working with an actor in a Xenomorph suit, star Alex Lawther (who plays soldier and medic CJ “Hermit") opened up about how wild it was going from seeing the Xenomorph as something trying to kill his character to a guy from New Zealand hanging out on set:

Running from a deadly stowaway on the space vessel Maginot after it crash lands on Earth one moment and then bumping into “a guy from New Zealand” the next? I'd say that had to be totally trippy.

Adding onto this experience of the stuntman playing the Xenomorph, Sydney Chandler, who plays a hybrid human/synthetic and CJ’s sister, recounted how “calm” and “casual” the guy looked between takes:

The mental image of a Xenomorph chomping down on a celery stalk is something that’s now stuck in your head. Though they didn’t say one way or another, I'm sure you're wondering the same thing we are: if the creature’s iconic piston-like inner mouth popped out to grab the stalk from the veggie tray.

Having a Xenomorph played by an actor could make things awkward in craft services and all, but taking the franchise back to its roots in this regard is one of several nice touches by Noah Hawley and company. You may recall that Ridley Scott cast Nigerian visual artist and actor Bolaji Badejo to play the original alien back in Alien, and that helped make it one of the best sci-fi movies of all time.

How Alien: Earth will stack up to the movies is anyone’s guess at this point, but critics have had great things to say about the FX on Hulu series so far. In fact, it was still rocking a 94 % on Rotten Tomatoes on the day of its premiere.

The first two episodes of Alien: Earth are now streaming on Hulu, and the remaining installments will be released every Tuesday until the Season 1 finale in late September. We won't get to see a Xenomorph eat a celery stick (or watch a Facehugger latch to a meat plate), but we can expect some intense sci-fi horror.

On the 2025 TV schedule, no one can hear you scream. That said, if you’re a legendary filmmaker like Ridley Scott, people will definitely hear you drop an F-bomb in response to your addition to the Alien movie timeline. It’s a reaction that the OG franchise director offered when seeing familiar-looking ship designs for Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth - a result that came after several years, and a very specific ask.

It’s a story that’s fit to print, and SFX on CinemaBlend was able to exclusively nab it through early interviews for Noah Hawley’s series. Set to debut this August, another party that was on hand to discuss the process was Scott Free’s Chief Creative Officer, David W. Zucker. Sharing Mr. Scott’s surprise when seeing one of Alien: Earth’s vehicles, Zucker offered the following:

Newcomers who haven’t mainlined every entry through their Hulu subscription can very easily use that platform to keep up with this story that occupies a time frame close to when 1979’s Alien transpired. Also, as we know from Noah Hawley’s decision to ignore Prometheus’ aesthetic, vessels like the USCSS Maginot look more like the Nostromo we all know and love. Which is probably good news for anyone who can't seem to deviate from a straight-lined run whilst dodging a rolling spaceship.

The detail that makes this whole tale really interesting is that when the Fargo creator was asked to first pitch his take on Alien: Earth in 2018, keeping away from the first Scott era of installments was a concern. It seems that this factor eventually gave way to the take we’ve seen in the marketing, where the Maginot crash lands on our third rock from the sun, and has some surprises to offer.

Earth will finally get its chance to meet a proper Xenomorph, which may help dismiss fans' conflicted feelings on Alien: Earth's title. What sort of new horrors await us in those mysterious crates? The crew of the ship that induces this story probably didn't know, and with a familiar yet fresh feeling ahead, learning the truth could be a deadly sort of excitement.

Much like Ridley Scott’s profanity-laden approval of Alien: Romulus, this hearty endorsement could be a good sign for this eight-episode series. If you’re screaming for Alien: Earth, you may want to go grab some water. We won’t be seeing this new nightmare get started until August 12th at 8 PM ET on FX, with new episodes also being available on Hulu.

Ridley Scott’s fingerprint can be seen on pretty much every great sci-fi movie that has come out since his 1979 space horror film Alien changed the game. Many filmmakers have been influenced by his movies over the years, including Gareth Edwards, whose upcoming Jurassic World: Rebirth is about to make another addition to the Jurassic Park franchise. However, it wasn’t Alien that inspired the new sequel.

Ahead of the premiere of one of the biggest releases on the 2025 movie schedule, Edwards sat down for a chat with SFX Magazine (via ComicBook.com) to discuss his upcoming sci-fi thriller and where he took inspiration from to bring the dinosaur blockbuster to the big screen. During that conversation, the Godzilla and Rogue One director revealed that it was Scott’s 2005 historical drama, Kingdom of Heaven, that inspired him greatly, specifically when it came to the director of photography:

Mahieson, who first worked with Scott on the 2000 Best Picture winner Gladiator, has collaborated with the famed filmmaker multiple times over the years, including most recently with Gladiator II. His work on Kingdom of Heaven, a great movie that somehow flopped at the box office, is honestly some of his best work.

Based on Edwards’ comments, he really wanted to work with the man who gave Kingdom of Heaven such a captivating look and feel, but he had to work with Universal to get the ball rolling, as he revealed:

Luckily, everyone agreed on bringing in Mathieson to serve as the director of photography for Jurassic World: Rebirth. Though it’s unlikely there will be any flashbacks to the new mutated Distortus Rex (which was inspired by Alien) fighting off waves of Crusaders, it will be interesting to see how the two-time Academy Award nominee and prolific music video cinematographer handles the latest dinosaur movie.

With the release of Jurassic World: Rebirth right around the corner in theaters on July 2, 2025, it will be interesting to see what other tidbits of information about the movie and its influences Gareth Edwards and others share with us all. If anything, I'm curious to see what those claims that the movie will honor the series’ canon mean for the big blockbuster.

In the meantime, all six previous Jurassic Park/World movies are streaming with a Peacock subscription. And while Kingdom of Heaven isn’t currently streaming anywhere, it’s worth seeking it out for the epic’s 20th anniversary.

If you're a movie buff, chances are you know who Ridley Scott is – and honestly, even if you're not, you probably know Ridley Scott’s best movies. The director is famous for some of the biggest films of the last forty years, like Alien, Gladiator and, of course, the sequel Gladiator II. Peter Craig, one of the story writers on Gladiator II, decided to move over to television for the creation of Dope Thief, a TV adaptation of the novel – and Ridley Scott joined him for the ride.

The 2025 TV schedule is filled to the brim with new shows, but Dope Thief was not one I was expecting to love. I had the chance to speak to Craig before the premiere of the show. When I found out that Ridley Scott actually directed the first episode, I knew I had to ask how that happened. Craig was honest and said that it was just the right time, especially since a former film that the two were working together on fell apart:

Craig commented that the famous director "loves to work," and that when bringing him on for the premiere episode, it was just a simple conversation. There was "no courtship" or anything to try and convince him:

Considering this was Scott and Craig's first collaboration on television, they went all in. It's honestly one of the most energetic and blood-pumping premiere episodes I've seen in a long time. To me, Dope Thief might just become one of the best Apple TV+ shows.

But it's not like Craig hasn't had significant success before because of his stories. Craig has been the screenwriter behind many huge films in Hollywood. He co-wrote the screenplays for the last two The Hunger Games films, i.e. both parts of Mockingjay. He also co-wrote one of the best live-action Batman movies, The Batman, alongside director Matt Reeves. He even wrote the story for Top Gun: Maverick, a film that everyone enjoyed, and now, fans want Top Gun 3.

It's not that surprising that his first show on television would end up becoming amazing, especially with the crew and cast that he has behind him. Such stars of Dope Thief include Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), Wagner Moura (Civil War), Kate Mulgrew (the Orange is the New Black cast) and more. With eight episodes, I have a feeling it's only going to be the condensed, action-packed show that people are begging for – coming from someone who has seen all eight of them.

Dope Thief premieres its first two episodes on March 14, which you can access with an Apple TV+ subscription.

It’s been a few months since the release of Gladiator II, and I have to say, I’m still thinking about how much I want a director’s cut. Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel recently became available to watch at home and to stream for those with a Paramount+ subscription, and while I liked the movie (as detailed in my Gladiator II review), I really wish my at-home rewatch could be through an extended version of the film.

Look, Gladiator II’s theatrical cut is two hours and 28 minutes long. That is honestly more than long enough for me when it comes to a blockbuster movie, but when I saw it in theaters in November, I couldn’t help but feel like there were some story aspects that were removed in order to make it under two and a half hours. While Scott has claimed this is the movie he wanted to make and his cut already, I’m curious about seeing a much longer version that doesn’t feel as rushed and disheveled as it does to me.

I’m Not Usually Into Director’s Cuts

I know there’s a whole market out there regarding epic movies like this and director’s cuts being released to provide a longer runtime, but I just want to say, I’m usually not the person first in line for that. I think it’s certainly interesting when a filmmaker is allowed to share more of their vision when the first version was nudged by a studio to be shorter, but ultimately I think if what you’re making is turning out to be three+ hours, maybe you should rethink it as a miniseries.

Sometimes I’m wrong. For example, I absolutely loved my experience seeing all three and a half hours of Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon in theaters. And I love the fact that Best Picture nominee The Brutalist brought back the intermission. Ultimately though, director’s cuts are not my thing, but I want one for Gladiator II.

But Immediately After Watching Gladiator II, I Wanted To See A Longer Version

When I went to see Gladiator II in theaters back in November, I was very much anticipating it after Scott’s original Gladiator was one of the best 2000s movies. While it definitely delivered on a lot of fronts, particularly with Denzel Washington’s devious villain, I also felt like there were a lot of story elements that just weren’t given enough attention and time, oddly enough. I don’t know why the movie felt rushed to me considering its runtime, but I figure it has to do with what was filmed just being a lot longer than the final cut could provide.

I would have liked more scenes that fleshed out Macrinus’ backstory and helped me understand his character better. I also think a popular complaint was the lack of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, whether that be between her and Pedro Pascal’s Acacius or Lucius. She felt like somewhat of an afterthought to the movie, when I think she should have been one of the main leads. It also felt like some of the scenes in the Colosseum just breezed by when I wanted them to offer more tension and nail-biting action.

There’s Been A Lot Of Chatter About What Was Removed For The Theatrical Cut

Though I have my own hopes for a Gladiator II director’s cut, there’s also been quite a lot of talk about scenes that were shot for the movie that were cut. For example, an entire character was removed from the movie! May Calamawy, who I loved in Ramy and Moon Knight, was originally going to play an “important” character in Gladiator II, but was reduced to having a background role. While actors being cut out of movies certainly happens sometimes in big movies like this, she didn’t deserve to be completely omitted.

There’s also been talk of wild deleted scenes in Gladiator II, like the twin kings asking to be adopted by Lucilla, and Washington claimed there was a scene where Macrinus kissed another man that was cut from the movie. There’s also apparently footage of Mescal kissing Pascal in a cut scene. Kissing aside, all this talk seems to hint there was more story to the flick, and I want to see what a director’s cut of this movie would look like.

Scott has also spoken on the topic. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter in November that there’s a three hour and 40 minute cut that he’s contemplating putting out in the world. I very much want to see that! I think having an extra hour could possibly change my mind on the movie and offer me the pace I wish it had given me on the first go around.

At The End Of The Day, I Think I Just Wish I Liked Gladiator II Better

Now, while I’m totally rooting for a Gladiator II director’s cut, I also just wish the original movie was just better, if I’m being honest. Plenty of filmmakers have made masterpieces with the runtime of a typical movie under three hours, and my hopes for a longer movie more so comes from my disappointment in what I've seen than me loving it so much I just need a longer version.

I totally get that movies are basically impossible to make as good as some of Scott’s others, like Alien and Blade Runner. But I definitely think with perhaps more work on the script, the movie could have been incredible with the runtime it was given.

Considering it's a sequel, sure, it’s easy to compare it to the original, but I get peeved when filmmakers make movies long just because they don’t have the self control to cut the scenes that need to be cut. In the instance of Gladiator II, it feels like Scott had a lot of fun ideas to go around, but he never fully committed to making them all fit together in a cooperative way. Would an extra hour help that? I don’t know, but I’m sure I’d be entertained by seeing what it would look like.

One of my favorite parts of being a fan of horror movies is the practical effects. I am the director’s cut best friend when a movie has good costume and monster design because I want to know everything about what brought this beast to the screen. Director Sir Ridley Scott broke down some of the challenges he faced when bringing the Xenomorph to life, and I could listen to him talk about it all day.

In an interview with GQ, Sir Ridley Scott discussed some of his most iconic films and shared the filming techniques that went into bringing such classic moments to life. Among the movie moments, Sir Scott shared a glimpse into the creative and technical process that went into the 1979 sci-fi horror classic Alien. He spoke a little about the role of Ash in the story and how it adds a little bit more of a creep factor to the movie. But on the topic of the Xenomorph itself, Sir Scott had this to say:

In comparison to newer movies like Alien: Romulus, where there was no shortage of long shots of the Xenomorph up close, if you were to rewatch the classic Alien, you can tell that the main monster of the film is used in short supply. Considering Alien is viewed as one of the best horror movies of all time, Sir Scott really did use ‘less is more’ to his full advantage. For a majority of the movie, our main monster is in the shadows. Most scenes with an alien were the face-hugger, and even then, our leading creature feature can only account to two minutes of actual onscreen time.

It really shows what a genius director Sir Scott is, as well as his knowledge and mastery of his craft at the time. As stated, this is before CGI and green screen. Everything was just practical effects and good lighting, something that I did appreciate to hear Alien: Romulus used in its own repertoire. If you’ve seen the video of the animatronic Xenomorph they made, that thing is horrifying even in bright light.

In the past, Ridley Scott has talked about how the times have changed, and that modern horror movies don’t really use ‘less is more’ anymore, which is very true. If you were to watch every Alien movie in chronological order, story-wise, you’d be hit with some serious horror movie whiplash going from the original 1979 movie straight into Alien: Romulus. No spoilers, but the ending of that movie alone is enough to say, "Enough said."

Regardless, the techniques used in the original Alien movie still hold the test of time. While modern audiences probably won’t be flung from their seat, the overall creep factor is still very strong. The tight claustrophobic corridors and moving shadows is still king, in my opinion. Hopefully we get to see more of that in the sci-fi series Alien: Earth, as I’m hoping it’ll be a nice mix of old and new. For now, I’m gonna binge all the old Alien movies using my Hulu subscription and with the lights off.

In a time when CGI regularly recreates the worlds we see on our big screens, one wouldn’t be surprised to see director Ridley Scott bringing Rome’s Colosseum to life through computer screens, but he went greatly practical instead. The filmmaker took the Gladiator II cast to Malta, Morocco and other locations during the filming of the sequel and basically recreated the Roman Empire while he was at it. But why didn’t he shoot at the real place?

After Scott made one of the biggest 2024 movies, he spoke about going back to the setting of his classic film over 20 years later. When asked why he chose to build the sets rather than shut down the famed Colosseum he said this to The Hollywood Reporter:

Crazy, right? The Colosseum you see in the sequel to one of the best movies of the 2000s had the production combining digital and practical effects. And yes, they built a replica of the Colosseum. As Scott continued:

Ridley Scott recruited production designer Arthur Max, who previously did the production design for the original film with the filmmaker and won an Academy Award for it (along with other Scott movies like Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster, Robin Hood, Prometheus, The Martian, The Last Duel, House of Gucci and Napoleon. As Max did before, he built the Colosseum, but this time it was the size of a football field and two stories tall.

The filmmakers decided to make it larger than the actual Colosseum due to the scene in the sequel where the iconic building is filled with water for a naval battle. Per Variety, the size of the entry’s main arch was about ten feet taller than it was in the first movie in order to accommodate the ship that had to come through the Colosseum for the scene that has sparked some online controversy regarding its historical accuracy.

While we had some complaints about the story of Gladiator II, including through CinemaBlend’s review of the Gladiator sequel, it’s rather amazing to imagine all the work that went into making the sets in the movie look real not only for the audience, but also the actors there. Ridley Scott has always made it a priority to have practical effects on his sets, and the fact that Gladiator II required building sets to reenact the scale of the Roman Empire is mind-blowing!

When it comes to sequels of iconic films, few projects have generated as much buzz as Ridley Scott’s 2024 epic Gladiator II. The original 2000 film left a legacy that is hard to match, and stepping into that world again is no small feat. However Paul Mescal, who was cast to lead the film as Lucius, took the challenge in stride. He was determined to carve his own path, and for him, this meant not discussing the role with Russell Crowe. Interestingly, Ridley Scott had a fitting James Bond comparison when addressing Mescal’s decision, which just might put this bold move into perspective.

Paul Mescal’s Decision Not To Speak to Russell Crowe

Of course, it's not surprising that people would want to know if the “gladiators” ever had a meeting of the minds. The original Gladiator is a beloved movie, and Crowe’s performance in the film earned him an Oscar for playing Maximus. One naturally would wonder if Mescal wanted some tips before stepping into his shoes. Ultimately however, the Aftersun actor decided to approach Gladiator II without his predecessor’s guidance, as he wanted to find the character independently. He told Esquire:

He echoed the sentiment when asked again by ExtraTV. Clearly Mescal isn’t averse to meeting Crowe, but would want the occasion to be focused more about their similar experiences, rather than acting and character advice. He elaborated:

This decision makes complete sense. At the end of the day, the sequel film came out 24 years after the original film featuring new characters and a new story at the center. Mescal wasn’t even playing the same character that Crowe did, and the intrigue of Gladiator II was the unique spin the 28-year-old actor would put on the source material for a new audience. Mescal certainly didn’t want to copy what Crowe did, as that wouldn't be constructive to the process. However, now that filming is done, the two Gladiator stars would likely enjoy grabbing a pint together and talking about their shared experiences, as they have a lot in common.

Ridley Scott’s Take On Paul Mescal’s Decision

Director Ridley Scott, who also helmed the original Gladiator in 2000, was supportive of Mescal’s decision not to reach out to Crowe. The filmmaker understood that his new leading man had to carve out his own path. He actually found the notion to be silly, and compared it to different James Bond actors discussing the part together. Those movies, like the Gladiator sequel, prioritize reinvention, hoping audiences will get something different from each portrayal rather than rehashing the same thing. Scott said to ExtraTV:

Just like new iterations of Bond, Paul Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius in Gladiator II was an opportunity to expand the franchise rather than recreate it. Scott’s remarks also underscored his confidence in Mescal, who’s rapidly becoming one of Hollywood’s most promising talents and received praise from critics for his performance in the sequel. Comparisons to the first Gladiator are inevitable but this analogy shows that the 2024 film wasn’t about chasing the shadow of Maximus. It was about forging a new legacy, and one that Mescal and the rest of the Gladiator II cast were poised to deliver.

You can see Paul Mescal in Gladiator II, which is still playing in theaters nationwide. Fans can also revisit Russell Crowe’s performance in 2000’s Gladiator, which is currently available to stream now with a Paramount+ subscription.

Strength and honor have visited the 2024 movies, thanks to Gladiator II making a huge splash in the market. And of course, what we do in our careers echoes in our resumes - a notion that has yet again been proven by one of the mythic parties that helped it all happen. While actor Russell Crowe’s sequel pitch didn’t make it into the Paul Mescal starring legacy-quel, an idea of his actually did make it into the original 2000 classic. That suggestion led to a heartbreaking addition, as well as a hilarious note from director Ridley Scott, and I can see why both of these anecdotes had to happen.

During a previous appearance on Charlie Rose, the Academy Award winning actor revealed that he helped inject more emotion into the scene where Maximus returns to see his wife and son have been slain. That moment was very different in the original intent, which was described by Crowe in a clip that’s circulating thanks to Instagram.

As it turns out, Gladiator’s vengeful general was not supposed to walk to his wife’s feet and kiss them mournfully. If the original direction had held, Russell Crowe would have acted this emotional beat from a distance. But fully being in character, the L.A. Confidential performer wanted to walk to the corpse in question, after providing the following reasoning to his director:

That description, while totally heartfelt, doesn’t do the finished scene the justice it deserves. So before we get to the funny part, brace yourself and revisit Maximus’ devastating return home in Gladiator. Be sure you have plenty of tissues on hand, as that ties into the next piece of this story as well:

Gladiator has broken so many hearts over almost a quarter of a century, just through this moment alone. Sure, the Best Picture winner is known for some amazing action sequences, and a ripping soundtrack through one of the best Hans Zimmer scores. But there’s a very true and beating heart that sits at the center of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe’s work.

Which makes the hilarious note that Scott gave his leading man back in the day all the more enjoyable to learn about. Continuing his story about the somber moment he co-created with the directing legend, Crowe shared this tidbit about what happened when he put that vision into practice:

Though the stories about Russell Crowe’s alleged Gladiator script contributions have been debunked, inspired scenes like this still live on. And admittedly, without this visceral fencepost of what Maximus has gone through in his life, his quest for vengeance just wouldn't hit as hard. Especially his monologue after he's unmasked before Joaquin Phoenix's Emperor Commodus.

The Gladiator legacy lives on, both in its past and present forms, through scenes like the once mentioned above. The echoes of the past can be revisited, as the original Russell Crowe film is currently streaming through access to a Paramount+ subscription. And if you’re heading out to the movies, you can make your own comparison between that finale and the Gladiator II ending, as that picture is still being shown in theaters.

The following contains minor spoilers for Gladiator II.

The fact that a sequel to Gladiator got made nearly a quarter century after the first film is a testament to the fact that this was clearly a movie that audiences wanted to see. Gladiator II’s solid box office shows that there are a lot of people who wanted to see this story, but apparently there’s actually a lot of Gladiator II that we have yet to see.

Gladiator II producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher recently spoke with THR about what was cut from the film to get the movie down to a significant length for a theatrical release. At two and a half hours in length, Gladiator II is pushing the limits of what’s considered viable for a theatrical release, so a lot had to be trimmed, including a scene with Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal that sounds like it would have been amazing. Wick explained…

Pedro Pascal’s General Acacius dies in the Colosseum following a battle with Paul Mescal’s Lucius. The event is a turning point for both Mescal’s character and Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla. A farewell scene between the couple would have put some closure on the character and the relationship. From the sound of it, even the producer wishes the scene was still there, but some sacrifices needed to be made.

This scene with Nielsen certainly wasn’t the only thing lost when cuts had to be made to Gladiator II. Actress May Calamawy was set to be in the Gladiator II cast, but anybody who has seen the film can tell you she’s not in the final cut. It appears that, like this other scene, her entire character was cut from the film to trim down the story.

Apparently Ridley Scott’s first cut of Gladiator II was more than an hour longer than the final version we got, and that’s simply a non-starter. We rarely see movies that are three hours or longer and that’s in large part due to theaters having to limit the number of showings a movie can have in a day if the runtime is too long.

Considering how much of Gladiator II had to be cut, hopefully we'll see it all in a Director’s Cut of Gladiator II. Ridley Scott certainly hasn’t been against such things, and he's indicated a Director's Cut of Gladiator II will likely happen. His additional cuts of both Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven are generally considered to be superior to their theatrical versions. Perhaps the same will happen with Gladiator II.

Scott has called Gladiator II some of his best work, and while the movie is generally well-regarded, it's not necessarily seen at quite that level. Maybe that's because we haven't seen all of it yet.

As far as 2024 movies go, Gladiator II almost felt like it took a lifetime to get into the world. There was certainly no shortage of interest, and as seen with Nick Cave’s absolutely bonkers sequel draft no drought on ideas. But when it came to actually cracking into the nuts and bolts of the Paul Mescal-led ensemble drama, producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher admit that the time was well spent, as they wanted to avoid being “a pale imitation” of the 2000 Best Picture winner.

During an interview with THR, the producing team of Wick and Fisher held court while laying out the road that led to the recent box office smash. And of course, the reincarnated Maximus idea fell off pretty quickly. However, as Lucy Fisher shared during this conversation, one angle was something that always seemed to be the best way forward:

The storyline that ensued after Gladiator II found its hook is one that sees Lucius at the center of the action is what critical reaction to Ridley Scott’s sequel has been focused on. Although the press cycle has revealed that the Gladiator director’s alternate opening to part two would have seen some action with Russell Crowe’s Maximus.

But in the interest of not falling into the trap of a “pale imitation,” that idea was scrapped for an animated recap of the previous picture’s events. Even with an idea that seemed viable to make the long awaited follow-up a reality, there was another problem that almost all Hollywood movies face: scheduling.

And as Lucy Fisher continued to explain in this same interview, Sir Ridley Scott’s breakneck pace is still quite something:

That work ethic hasn’t slowed down at all, as even during Gladiator II’s early press campaign, Ridley Scott was revealed as developing another Alien movie. Oh, and there was also the hint that the man himself is already entertaining ideas for a Gladiator III.

Which probably isn’t a bad idea, considering how wide open Gladiator II’s ending happens to be. Though for Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher’s sakes, I hope another 17 movies don’t jump in line in front of that project. Another 20 years would not be advantageous, as I’m sure they’re as excited as Mr. Scott is for that potential return.

In the meantime, friends, readers, citizens of the internet, you can currently see Gladiator II in theaters now. And those who want to dream of how different Gladiator’s ending would hit if Maximus did appear in that scrapped opening, a Paramount+ subscription is all you’ll need to make it happen.

Gladiator II has been making headlines as part of its run through the 2024 movie schedule, and not all of them are pleasant. Case in point: a recent story involved cinematographer John Mathieson apparently calling director Ridley Scott “lazy” and accusing him of rushing the recent films of his output. However, it turns out those comments were actually a bit of a misrepresentation that came out of a 30 minute edit from a two-hour interview; and the legacy-quel’s DP has come out to clarify just what happened.

Following the initial debacle, Deadline spoke with John Matheison in their own follow-up to Nigel Levy’s interview for The DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast. After the media firestorm centered around these supposed shots taken, both subject and host clarified how this misunderstanding came to be. Here’s what Matheison had to say:

On that same token, Nigel Levy backed up the assertion that he and the veteran cinematographer discussed various facets of filmmaking. Levy also explained that his team tried to edit the two-hour chat down to 30 minutes by focusing on what they believed their viewers might find most interesting.

Upon listening to his episode on the podcast in question, John Mathieson noticed the severe truncation of the talk he’d given to Nigel Levy. Gladiator II’s DP even noted that he could tell that it felt like quotes were rearranged and deleted that would have filled out the sentiment he’d expressed above.

Which turned his upset with the industry into something that sounded like it was aimed at the same director Denzel Washington thinks is owed an Academy Award. And quotes like that are naturally going to light up the mediasphere with the right reporting. Much like thoughts on Gladiator II's ending, this more severe instance is something everyone is bound to talk about.

The Gladiator II filmmaker has been able to land that sort of coverage with his own words, as seen with Ridley Scott’s controversial casting comments connected to Exodus: Gods and Kings. Of course, this actually was a case of a bad edit conveying the wrong message, and it ultimately led to John Mathieson calling Ridley Scott himself to explain the situation thusly:

Misquotes happen from time to time. Just look at that time Benedict Cumberbatch’s reaction to CBS’s Elementary was totally taken the wrong way. What matters in a scenario like this is what sort of correction comes out of the fallout, and how the record is set straight. John Mathieson and Nigel Levy have now put their cards on the table, and we’ll see how the truth circulates through the same circuits that saw the lie catch fire.

Gladiator II is still doing combat in theaters, so you haven’t missed Sir Ridley Scott and John Mathieson’s work on recapturing the glory of Rome. However, if you’re looking to relive the days of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, switch on your Paramount+ subscription and watch the original Gladiator at your earliest convenience.

If you were not entertained by Gladiator II or at least have not been entertained yet by Gladiator II, please pop out of this spoilery article and read one of our other lovely and spoiler-free articles on CinemaBlend.

When Gladiator II hit the movie release schedule, one of my big concerns was that the movie would try to rehash or expand on some of the original movie's ideas in a cheesy or poorly executed way. The movie’s B Cinemascore (which aligns with CinemaBlend’s Gladiator II review) did little to dissuade me before I plunked down into a comfy chair with a bucket of popcorn.

As it turns out, I could not have been happier with the way the movie handled its Gladiator connections – and completely flipped the script on its ending.

A Lot Of Gladiator II’s Connections To The Original Were Handled Deftly

The Gladiator II sequel takes great pains to set up a story of a young fighter that sees loss of a similar ilk to Maximus in the first movie. In the new movie, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is fighting for a cause he believes in and loses everything he loves, including his wife, as he is becoming the person he is meant to be.

After losing a hard fought battle, he’s captured and shipped off to the lower rung Gladiator rings, again similar to Maximus Decimus Meridius before him. The movie also calls back to certain scenes and uses footage from the original movie to make connections between Russell Crowe’s character and Paul Mescal’s clear —as Mescal’s Lucius is a grown-up version of Lucilla’s son from the first movie.

The main component of Lucius’ storyline is the weakest thread in the movie –we’ve written about the connective tissue with Connie Nielsen’s character already – mostly I think because it tries to connect to the original in such a narrative-forward way. So I get the Cinemascore on some fronts; regardless, setting his storyline up in this way allows him to interact with Denzel Washington’s Macrinus and Pedro Pascal’s General Acacius in ways that felt important and engaging. Bascially, the main plot worked for me.

More importantly, a lot of the less focal ways the movie connects to its 2000 predecessor hit home. For example, I liked that Maximus’ armor is highlighted early in the movie and comes into play later when Lucius decides to take on his birthright. I liked the return to the Coliseum in the movie’s final moments. I liked how Macrinus’ story tied in with the lore in the first movie and how the dream of Rome remained a dream after Maximus’ death.

To me, these ties worked to set up a story that was solid enough to thread together two movies set decades apart. I was even more deeply affected by the choice to make sure the ending was very different than the original.

I Thought Gladiator II’s Ending Worked Spectacularly

Gladiator has a perfect ending. It’s iconic, it was meaningful for the character, and it’s the sort of ending we’re still talking about years and years later, the sort of ending that cemented Russell Crowe’s career. The one thing I did not want to see in Gladiator II was Lucius falling to the same fate Maximus did. To me, Maximus was fulfilling an oath he’d made before he joined his wife in the underworld; Lucius was ready to fulfill a dream his grandfather had. If he'd died at the end of Gladiator II it would not have had the same impact and would have felt more like evil triumphing over good rather than the other way around.

While watching, I actually thought Gladiator II might go full circle and have a similar ending to the original movie. There are teases early on about Lucius rejoining his wife in the afterlife that echo Maximus’ storyline. Given Washington’s character Macrinus appears to be sneaky and a worthy (maybe even Oscar worthy) opponent, I was also worried for Lucius by the midpoint of the movie when Macrinus goes from a nebulous character to one who is a major threat. Because of the way the plot was set up, though, I found this option to be far less romantic than what happened in Maximus’ movie.

Instead, in its final scenes, Lucius dons Maximus’ armor and ignites the trust he’s built up in the gladiator ring. He also takes a chance getting a message to General Acacius’ allies, asking them to come to his aid, using a ring he’d been given from his grandfather as currency.

The subsequent standoff between Macrinus and Lucius is riveting (and maybe too violent for some), though I hated to see such a wild character as Macrinus die. In the end, both armies are ready for change and embrace the “idea of Rome’ that Lucius wants to fight for. He lives and with him, the dream of Rome lives on, too.

The ending is hopeful for the future in a similar way to the original movie’s closing scenes, but it’s not trying to be the same thing as the original, and this was a very important distinction I thought the sequel needed to make. Afterward, in another nod, Lucius returns to the Coliseum, echoing Juba burying Maximus’ family figures, and the movie tied into the famous wheat fields scene from the OG movie – again another moment I thought made sense.

Before release, Ridley Scott called Gladiator II “the best thing” he’s ever made. Give his oeuvre and the fact the first Gladiator exists, I’m not sure I’d go so far as to agree, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Gladiator II made for an entertaining sequel. Give it a chance now that it's headed onto VOD platforms. You might be surprised, and even entertained.

Few would likely debate the notion that Sir Ridley Scott is one of the most influential filmmakers of our time. He’s helmed plenty of renowned movies, from Alien and Blade Runner to Thelma & Louise and Gladiator. Considering his exceptional work, it’s honestly still somewhat baffling that Scott has still yet to win an Academy Award. (Just typing those words doesn’t even feel right.) The renowned director doesn’t exactly need defending, but that didn’t stop Denzel Washington from sharing a three-word response to him never landing an Oscar.

The renowned actor has worked with Ridley Scott on 2007’s American Gangster and more recently, on the long-awaited Gladiator II. While doing press for the 2024 movie release, Denzel Washington spoke with THR as part of a large feature on the making of the film. Washington has never been one to mince words – albeit respectfully – so it tracks that he would have some honest and brief thoughts on his director not having been honored by the Academy:

I’d certainly agree with the Man on Fire star on this one. So far, the Legend helmer has received four Oscar nominations. Three of those are for Best Director, thanks to his work on Thelma & Louise, Black Hawk Down and Gladiator. And the fourth is a Best Picture nod for his 2015 science-fiction flick The Martian. The British director was worthy of any one of those honors, and it’s honestly a shame that he still hasn’t won. The Fences alum went on to share more thoughts about his collaborator not having one of those coveted awards:

Denzel Washington Gets Real About Why He Hasn’t Watched Malcolm X Or Any Of His Movies In Their Entirety

Though Ridley Scott’s best films have never won him any Academy Awards, the 86-year-old director doesn’t seem to be looking for any kind of validation, especially at this point in his career. He seems to simply enjoy the craft as opposed to the accolades. However, Scott does also have his fair share of awards and honors. Among the hardware he has are two Primetime Emmys, a Golden Globe and a few Saturn Awards as well. I don’t know the dry-witted filmmaker personally but, given his persona, I feel as though he’s probably not all that bent out of shape about never having won one of those golden statues.

Denzel Washington is the recipient of two Oscars for Best Actor, and there’s a chance that he may be in the hunt for another. Much praise has been showered upon Gladiator II, and many of those reviews hype up Washington’s performance as the shifty slave-turned-gladiator trainer Macrinus. With the awards chatter surrounding Washington, there’s indeed a chance that he could at least land a nomination.

At the same time, I’m still intrigued to see whether or not Ridley Scott manages to land an Academy Awards nod this time around. If that doesn’t happen, can this man, at the very least, receive an honorary award. He’s definitely earned it.

Check out Gladiator II in theaters now, and you can check out the original film by streaming it with a Paramount+ subscription.

One thing we should all be able to agree on is that the cast of Gladiator II is totally insane. Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen lead what Ridley Scott himself is calling the best thing he’s ever made. While these are some of the biggest actors in the industry, the real standouts of the film aren’t exactly household names. And, during their chat with CinemaBlend, Scott and Mescal heaped serious praise on one particular actor for having blown them away with their abilities.

I recently spoke with Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal in celebration of Gladiator II's release and asked if there were any actors in particular who caught them off guard and shined amongst the star-studded cast. Paul Mescal said this:

Norwegian actor Alexander Karim is 48 years of age and has 74 credits to his name, according to IMDb. So, while we may not be completely familiar with him stateside, he is by no means an industry newcomer. In the historical drama, his character, Ravi, develops a unique relationship with Paul Mescal’s Lucious. It was a bond that Ridley Scott was also a fan of, as he explained to me:

Let's hope this 2024 movie release sparks a career surge Mr. Karim. Meanwhile, during our interviews with the Gladiator II cast, they gushed about one another quite a bit. As previously mentioned, there are a ton of surprise standouts. My personal favorites are Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn as the film’s psychotic, antagonistic twin emperors.

You could say that they have a lot in common with Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus from the original film, but they made an effort to do their own thing, even though they may have taken a few notes from the Oscar winner. Hechinger’s character, Caracalla, is usually seen with his trained primate companion, played by the monkey actress Sherry, who he says delivered the real standout performance of the film, and I think I might agree with him.

Gladiator II just hit the theaters and, so far, things are looking good. The film is tracking well at the box office, and audiences can rest assured that Ridley Scott's film received critics’ stamp of approval. After 24 years of waiting, it's finally time to head to the theater and be entertained again, and it's so exciting! And, as you go see it, be sure to keep an eye on the talents of Alexander Karim as well as the other outstanding supporting actors that round out the ensemble.

With Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II finally landing on the 2024 movie schedule, the director is pulling back the curtain on one of the more outlandish ideas he once toyed with to bring back Russell Crowe’s iconic Maximus Decimus Meridius. While the original film is easily one of the best movies of the 2000s, delivering a sweeping tale of revenge, honor, and sacrifice—and secured the A Beautiful Mind a stunning Oscar for Best Actor—its tragic ending left fans in no doubt: Maximus was dead. But Hollywood loves a good comeback and, apparently, so did the Master and Commander actor.

In a recent interview with People, Ridley Scott shared how he and the Maximus performer entertained a bold (and, in hindsight, pretty wild) concept for a potential sequel nearly two decades ago. According to the Martian filmmaker, the actor was determined to resurrect his fallen general, no matter how unlikely it seemed:

In the OG Gladiator, Maximus—a betrayed Roman general-turned-gladiator—meets his end after a dramatic and deadly showdown with Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. His heroic demise wraps up his story in a way that feels final and fitting. However, the sequel shifts focus to Lucius, portrayed by Paul Mescal, who is enslaved and forced into the brutal life of a gladiator. Fans may remember Lucius as the young boy from the original film, played by Spencer Treat Clark.

Despite Maximus’ definitive fate, Ridley Scott once entertained a wild idea to bring the character back. The director revealed that one concept involved a metaphysical twist—a sort of "portal" that would allow Maximus to return from the dead. Reflecting on the process, the Blade Runner helmer elaborated:

However, when the Alien helmer floated the idea to Russell Crowe, the actor wasn’t convinced—especially since the concept would require someone else stepping into the role of Maximus’ reincarnated form. The Pope's Exorcist actor didn’t hold back in his response, as the director recalled:

The New Zealand-born A-lister admitted during an interview with Kyle Meredith With... that watching the sequel unfold without him has been “slightly uncomfortable” since his character’s death means he has “no say in what gets done.”

Crowe or no Crowe, after 23 years of back and forth trying to get the sequel off the ground, Gladiator II is finally here, and I think a number of people would agree that a metaphysical approach is probably not what we would want in a follow-up to the original movie. Thank goodness Ridley Scott held his ground because the sequel already has Oscar buzz.

Returning cast members Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprise their original roles, while the star-studded new ensemble includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn. Still, the sequel will stand as Paul Mescal’s movie. The rising star, who is stepping into the massive shoes left by Russell Crowe, has said he deliberately avoided seeking advice from the original actor. Everything certainly seems to have panned out for the best but, surely, they may be some who wonder what might've been had that "portal" pitch played out.

If you’re itching to revisit Gladiator before diving into the long-awaited sequel, now’s the perfect time. The iconic film is available in stunning 4K UHD, and you can stream it with a Paramount+ subscription.

We all have holes in our pop culture awareness. As a film critic, I generally feel that I have a professional responsibility to fill my personal holes… but there are only so many hours in a day, and there are new movies that premiere every single week. This is my baseline excuse for why I never watched Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. I didn’t see it in theaters back in 2000, even amid all the critical acclaim and Academy Award success, and once all of the “must-see” buzz wound down, I simply never found myself struck with the thought, “Hey, I should finally get around to watching Gladiator.”

One could say that I lacked significant motivation to fill that hole in my pop culture awareness – but with Gladiator II set to be released in theaters on Friday, I finally got the push I needed this week. Nearly two-and-a-half decades after it first debuted on the big screen, I hit play on the sword-and-sandal epic, and I walked away with a collection of standout thoughts about the film and its legacy.

There’s Plenty In Gladiator That Still Felt Fresh Despite Its Pop Culture Status

Part of the problem with missing out on iconic movies is that they can seep into your consciousness via osmosis. While a regular movie-goer might never sit down to watch Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining or Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, they’ve likely experienced the entirety of both films in the aggregate via references, homages and parody in other works. I wondered if this phenomenon could potentially have a diminishing impact on my viewing of Gladiator, but I was pleased to discover that it didn’t.

There were moments are lines in the film that I obviously recognized (more on them in a minute), but I was surprised how fresh the story in Gladiator felt as it unfolded. I didn’t anticipate each step of Maximus’ journey as he carved his path from general to slave to hero, and I was able to appreciate all of the dramatic weight in his mission to avenge his slain family and return the Roman Empire back to the vision of Marcus Aurelius.

In regard to expectations, the main hype about the film that got to me pre-screening regarded the arena sequences and Hans Zimmer’s excellent score, and neither disappointed. Nobody blends thrilling action and historical verisimilitude like Ridley Scott, and Zimmer’s music is a vital accent throughout, underpinning the gravitas in dramatic sequences and raising stakes amid battles and Maximus’ attempted escape.

The Most Iconic Moments Don’t Sorely Stick Out As I Expected Them To And Maintain Weight

While I didn’t specifically anticipate any major sequence in Gladiator, there are certain lines and moments that I always knew were coming – the biggest among them being Maximus’ declaration, “Are you not entertained?” and the big thumbs-down from Commodus. Pop culture can have a way of sucking the life out of these cinematic bits (“I drink your milkshake” from There Will Be Blood and basically the entirety of Napoleon Dynamite spring to mind). In the case of Ridley Scott’s 2000 film, I was pleased to only recognize the in-context impact and ignore the memeification.

The internet has reduced some of Gladiator’s most dramatic moments to punchlines, but I’ll offer proper credit to Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix for captivating delivers that allow one to put aside pre-existing connotations from social media.

I’m Surprised That I Wasn’t Spoiled On The Fate Of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus

In the 24 years that it took me to watch Gladiator, one significant spoiler did make its way into my brain: I knew that Maximus wasn’t going to be alive by the time the end credits started to roll. Frankly, this plot development was unavoidable in the run up to the release of the sequel (if not just because I noticed nobody was asking, “Why isn’t Russell Crowe coming back?”). That being said, in addition to not knowing the details of Maximus’ death, I also didn’t know the fate of Commodus, and I was excited to thusly find the stakes of the climactic final showdown perfectly intact during my screening.

Despite Ridley Scott’s integrity when it comes to historical details, the idea of Maximus and Commodus having a public duel did strike me with a feeling of incredulity, but I also feel that the film earns it – both because of the anger and arrogance of the Roman emperor and because of the throwback style of dramatic storytelling. Commodus stabbing his opponent pre-fight is an effective way of evening the playing field, and it left me legitimately unsure if Maximus’ victory would come from slaying his enemy or dying as a martyr. It’s ultimately a tough and brutal scuffle with the perfect conclusion: Commodus losing the loyalty of his men while mewling for a sword and then getting killed with his own dagger.

I Feel Ready To Watch Gladiator II But Not Specifically More Eager

Given that we are just days away from the release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, I am very happy that I finally filled the hole in my pop culture knowledge, and I am even more thrilled that I was able to immensely enjoy the film even with the extreme expectations that traditionally come with titles that receive the Academy Award for Best Picture (as an aside: within the pool of nominees from the 2001 Oscars, I would have voted for it – although Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is significant competition that I can’t totally dismiss due to the potential of recency bias). Now being familiar with the epic journey of Maximus Decimus Meridius, I feel wholly prepared for the follow-up story in the sequel… but I also can’t say that I am left with an enhanced eagerness.

Part of this stems from the fact that Gladiator is an epic but contained narrative. It executes a full and satisfying arc for its protagonist, and beyond the general fate of Rome in the aftermath of Maximus’ declaration, it doesn’t leave any standout threads dangling that demand a sequel. It’s a satiating meal unto itself that doesn’t compel me to instantly ask for seconds – and it makes me understand why it took Ridley Scott a near-quarter-century before deciding to make the follow-up. I will definitely see Gladiator II in theaters (I certainly don’t plan to wait until the year 2048), but I’m happy to let the first movie marinate in my brain through opening weekend and catch it on the big screen in the wake of Thanksgiving.

For those of you who wish to revisit Gladiator yourselves in advance of the sequel’s theatrical release, the film is available on 4K UHD, is streamable with a Paramount+ subscription, and can be rented/purchased digitally via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango At Home and Apple.

Ridley Scott's upcoming Gladiator II is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of the 2024 movie schedule, and it’s easy to see why. The original remains one of the best movies of the 2000s, and the sequel looks poised to honor that legacy with a powerhouse cast, including Denzel Washington. While early reactions have already sparked Oscar buzz for the film, the drama hasn’t been confined to the screen. At Monday night’s Hollywood premiere, the Alien director responded to Washington’s recent claim that a same-sex kiss was cut from the movie, dismissing the allegation as “bulls--t.”

Washington, who stars as the enigmatic Macrinus in the sequel, had previously set the internet ablaze when he told Gaytey in an interview that a same-sex kiss scene was removed from the film's final cut. However, the filmmaker denied the controversy when speaking to Variety at the Gladiator II premiere. When asked about the alleged kiss, the Thelma & Louise director responded bluntly:

In the video interview, an off-screen voice, presumably someone involved in the production, added, “We even went back and looked at the film, and there was never…” before Scott cut in to finish the thought:

Per Washington, the moment in question involved a “peck” on the lips, which he suggested was removed because “they got chicken.” However, when speaking to press at the sequel’s premiere, the actor downplayed the controversy, saying:

If all this alleged kiss hubbub has you wondering what really happened, you’re not alone. According to the film’s script, Washington’s character has a history of relationships with men, leaving room for what could have been a groundbreaking moment for one of the best action movie franchises and TGBTQ+ representation in the genre. But producer Michael Pruss also chimed in, brushing off the controversy as a casualty of editing.

Actress Connie Nielsen, who reunites with Ridley Scott as she reprises her role as Lucilla from the original Gladiator, agreed with the producer, revealing that her own grieving scene was left on the cutting room floor.

While the Blade Runner filmmaker’s blunt denial seems to settle the debate, the incident has sparked larger conversations about representation in blockbuster cinema. Washington’s earlier remarks stirred excitement among fans hoping for a more inclusive depiction of ancient Rome. However, Scott and the production team appear intent on reframing the conversation as one about editing choices, not censorship.

Paul Mescal, who stars as Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, recently emphasized the film’s broad appeal in an interview with Attitude magazine. He emphasized the film not just being for the “bros” but:

As the dust settles on the question of whether or not Macrinus locked lips with another man, fans can turn their attention to what promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally powerful return to the world Ridley Scott first brought to life nearly 25 years ago. Regardless of whether the kiss ever happened, one thing is clear: Gladiator II is poised to spark both excitement and debate as it heads to theaters on November 22. Until then, you can revisit the OG Sword and Sandal flick by streaming Gladiator with a Paramount+ subscription.

At this point, it’s hard to claim that Top Gun: Maverick did a single thing wrong. The Top Gun sequel made a billion dollars at the global box office and was nominated for numerous awards. The casting decision as well as bringing in Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski were clearly all brilliant in retrospect. It’s nearly impossible to imagine how the film could have been any better, except it’s possible that maybe it could have been; the movie could have been directed not by Joseph Kosinski but by Ridley Scott, the brother of the late Tony Scott, who helmed the original Top Gun.

It’s not hard to imagine why the producers of Top Gun: Maverick would have asked Ridley Scott if he wanted to direct the sequel to his brother’s massive hit movie. It would have been fitting to keep things in the family as it were. Scott tells THR that he turned the job for the simple reason that Top Gun: Maverick wasn’t his kind of film because he and his brother had very different tastes. Ridley Scott explained…

It’s certainly true that Tony and Ridley Scott did not make a lot of the same sorts of movies. Of all of Tony Scott's great films, the only genre movie he directed was his first feature film, The Hunger, a vampire movie starring David Bowie. After that, while the plots of Tony Scott’s films could be fantastic, they were all set in a modern-day “real” world.

By comparison, while Ridley Scott did direct modern stories (including Thelma and Louise, for which he would get an Oscar nomination for Best Director), the majority of his films are more detached from reality. Ultimately, Ridley Scott decided that the reason he was offered the film, being Tony Scott’s brother, was precisely the reason he didn’t want to do it. Ridley reportedly dismissed the Top Gun sequel after he saw it, perhaps because he was being extra tough on a movie that followed his brother's work.

Scott gets bonus points for praising one of Tim Curry’s best performances, the fantasy movie Legend, a movie in which Ridley Scott directed Tom Cruise previously. It would have been quite cool to see the two reunite once again, and on a movie that had launched the careers of both Cruise and Tony Scott.

Whether Ridley Scott would have made the movie better, there’s no argument that the director who took the job, Joseph Kosinski, did an amazing job. Kosinski is reportedly involved in the now-in-development Top Gun 3, but maybe if there ends up being a reason he can’t do it, somebody else would be interested.

The cast of Gladiator II is absolutely stacked for obvious reasons. It sees the return of Connie Nielsen and a performance by Denzel Washington that folks are saying may have secured his third Oscar. But in what is perhaps a coincidental turn of events, the film also features the internet’s biggest heartthrobs Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, and the now-infamous lost take of the former kissing the latter on the forehead looks like it’s coming to VOD.

I recently spoke with the film's star and director in anticipation of Gladiator II's release, and to catch all of you up, Paul Mescal retold the humorous story of director Ridley Scott’s reaction to the improvised forehead kiss:

It seems that Ridley Scott liked it, so what gives? Well, for one, Paul Mescal may be putting too much faith in the legendary director when it comes to this particular scene, because Scott himself told me that he doesn’t remember why the take didn’t make it into the final cut:

You have believe that Ridley Scott doesn’t remember where he set it down, as we’ve been reminded recently of his bluntness through such actions as making bold predictions in regard to Gladiator II and defending his choices against internet skeptics.

A film like this is pretty packed, and there must be a ton of footage to sift through in the edit, but thankfully this guy is famous for his director’s cuts! The Blade Runner Final Cut, after all, is considered by many to be the only true way to view the film. So if Ridley Scott tells us that the forehead kiss is going to make it to VOD, I, for one, will take him at his word.

There’s no need for fussing with that nonsense for now, as you should be running to your nearest theater to see Gladiator II when it’s released on November 22! If you’re going to watch Paul Mescal fight a rhinoceros for the first time, you should be doing so on the biggest screen possible. Critics are going nuts for the film, specifically the powerhouse and career-making performances, and I can confirm that this early chatter is indeed accurate.

You can see the video of this delightful exchange between Paul Mescal and Ridley Scott in the video at the top of this article. If you need a refresher on where the original Gladiator left off, you can check it out with a Paramount+ subscription. As for everything else in the way of news surrounding 2024’s new movie releases, keep it right here at CinemaBlend!

It’s been nearly a quarter-century since Gladiator entertained audiences en route to five Academy Awards (from 12 nominations) and worldwide box office success, so it’s no surprise that we're more than ready to welcome Ridley Scott’s sequel Gladiator II to theaters. The epic — which stars Pedro Pascal as Maximus’ son Lucius — is set to hit the 2024 movie calendar on November 22, so as you prepare for that “Wickediator” double feature, allow the critics to weigh in on the upcoming historical action flick.

After initial screenings, first reactions to Gladiator II had people raving about Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal’s performances in a story that takes place over a decade after Russell Crowe’s chapter. When Lucius becomes a prisoner of war, he chooses to fight as a gladiator like his father under the instruction of Washington’s Macrinus in order to exact revenge on Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). In CinemaBlend’s review of Gladiator II, our own Sarah El-Mahmoud calls the film “honorable yet disheveled.” She rates it 3.5 stars out of 5, writing:

Alex Flood of NME gives the movie 3 out of 5 stars, writing that Ridley Scott seems to be operating under the “requel” formula of giving fans enough nostalgia to keep them happy but adding a little fresh action so we don’t get bored. The results are partially successful, the critic says:

David Rooney of THR agrees the sequel is “imitative” — more of a remake than a sequel — following its Best Picture-winning predecessor nearly beat for beat. It gets a boost from Denzel Washington, who steals the movie with a character that Rooney says is fit for his own spinoff:

It would be a pretty tall order to ask this sequel to outdo or even match the 2000 epic, and Kelechi Ehenulo of GamesRadar admits that it does fall short. However, a phenomenal Denzel Washington (who’s clearly having the time of this life in this role, the critic says) and the thrilling battle scenes make this worth the price of admission. Ehenulo rates Gladiator II 4 out of 5 stars and writes:

Tom Jorgensen of IGN gives it a “Great” 8 out of 10, saying Ridley Scott finds strength and honor in its predecessor but still adds enough to make the sequel feel relevant. Jorgensen also says this is a can’t-miss performance from Denzel Washington. The critic continues:

It sounds like Ridley Scott hits a lot of the same notes in the sequel as he did in the first movie, albeit with more advanced technology to work with. Denzel Washington’s performance seems to stand out to many who were able to see the film early, but honestly it might all be worth it for the cool feature on the Gladiator II popcorn bucket. If you’ve been waiting for years for this movie to come to fruition, your time has nearly come, as Gladiator II hits theaters on Friday, November 22.

Looking back, after director Ridley Scott made a name for himself with the science-fiction masterpieces that are Alien and Blade Runner, there was something ironic about him going back to the time of the Roman Empire for his first film of the 21st Century with 2000’s Gladiator. It’s clearly greatly informed his career since, however, considering Scott has spent plenty of time satisfying the passion for bringing together more epic period pieces and historical adaptations to life, especially in the past few years with movies like The Last Duel and Napoleon.

There has been a path paved for him to the world of the sword-and-sandal epic with Gladiator II. Of course, considering Gladiator was a blockbuster that remained in cinemas for over a year before earning the honor of Best Picture, we certainly didn’t think it’d take this long to get made.

Now that it’s here, it’s not necessarily the arrival of buzzy talents like Paul Mescal or Pedro Pascal that makes it particularly special, but Denzel Washington making his first big screen event film in at least a decade. Beyond that, the director also clearly demonstrates that he still knows how to recapture the scale of the genre as he did nearly 25 years ago – however, it's Achilles' heel is there is a rushed quality about Gladiator II that unfortunately shines through.

Ridley Scott delivers on another immersive period piece full of brutal action that builds on the original film.

Gladiator II opens by introducing audiences to Lucius (Paul Mescal) fifteen years after the character’s role in the original film. Lucius is living a simple life in Numidia with his wife when the Romans enter on ships and a riveting battle incites at the province's walls. The production catches the audience's attention right away with a very detailed and period-accurate feeling sequence that goes back and forth between Lucius’ perspective and the introduction of Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal).

There’s a swiftness about the Roman army that puts Lucius in just about the same boat as Russell Crowe’s Maximus was, setting the table for a new legacy sequel from Hollywood. Lucius sets sail for Rome as a prisoner of war, and after he catches attention for being particularly audacious and rough when faced with combat and violence, he is then bought by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to become one of his gladiators.

Lucius is motivated by getting revenge on the actions of Marcus in particular as the Roman general who tore him from his home, and he agrees to fight for Macrinus if he promises retribution. Macrinus assures him of it, and Lucius’ tenacious fighting style quickly becomes the talk of Rome at the Colosseum.

Each battle Lucius fights has an exciting edge to it that carries across the runtime of Gladiator II, with each new scene adding more stakes and exciting set pieces. Lucius goes from fighting one-on-one with nothing but his fists to fighting alongside fellow gladiators in a scene involving the Colosseum being filled with water and ships to entertain its crowd, and it'll get theater crowds going too.

There’s a host of solid performances in Gladiator II, but Denzel Washington absolutely steals this sequel.

While Mescal doesn't quite follow the same level of strength and honor of Russell Crowe's Maximus (was anyone going to?), the indie darling successfully brings a softness to the role of Lucius that isn't easy to find in such a testosterone-heavy character. Though, somehow, the road to really getting behind the protagonist and his performance takes some churning to fully invest in. The return of Connie Nielsen's Lucilla certainly aids into this, but their estrangement almost goes a step too far. Whether that is intentional or if the two performers didn't have very good chemistry is left unclear

As Lucius goes on the hero’s journey reminiscent of Maximus', it’s made clear early on that Pescal’s Marcus comes home to Rome haunted by the cries of another community of people that have fallen under the the sword of his army. It’s a new and exciting layer of Gladiator to have the villain to Lucius be shown in another light behind the scenes, and it allows Pascal to wield his charm as he naturally does. Pascal also gets to play against type for what one would expect for an army general, which mostly works.

And rather than Joaquin Phoenix’s diabolical Commodus, Gladiator II has Rome being run by twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), who are sheltered by their throne and seem blissfully unaware of how their power is quietly turning Rome against them. Both actors disappear into their roles and bring something fresh to Gladiator II that sets them apart from Commodus as more playful and careless leaders to Rome.

While it’s mostly fun and games for those two, Denzel Washington brings the intensity Commodus had to his role in the 2000 original as he watches and crafts Lucius into his champion. The tension Washington brings is one that beautifully simmers and plays with your mind. Is he trustworthy, or just incredibly likable and the kind of detestable one hopes to be? Washington delivers a lightness to Macrinus that suggests the actor had a lot of fun bringing to life, and is takes away a level of control from the audience that leaves us no choice but to sit back and watch how he puppeteers Lucius’ rage for his own business.

While there’s a lot about Gladiator II that one can see coming given how it blueprints the first one, Washington effortlessly brings the right kind of chaos to the sequel it very much needed.

Despite its epic runtime, Gladiator II somehow has a hurried quality to it that undercuts its emotional weight.

Is Gladiator II a crowdpleaser? Absolutely. But at the same time, there's a frustrating aspect to the movie because of how rushed it often feels despite the time it asks of its audience. Across two-and-a-half hours, there are plenty of scenes where it feels as if one is being told a story from a sped-up voice that doesn't know how to hang on those emotional beats that allows us to really stop and feel what's being presented to us. As you can imagine from a movie like Gladiator, more than a few key characters die during it, but it doesn't demonstrate patience with many of its moments that could have made this Gladiator a more powerful film. This also lends itself to the movie feeling rather disjointed at times and not as complete. Then again, in true Ridley Scott fashion, perhaps that is because there's a director's cut on the way?

In a movie that has so many moving parts and plot lines from the original to callback to, add on to, and build upon, it's how the Ridley Scott film finds new avenues to explore its world that are its true pillars of strength and honor. And, Denzel Washington has a controlled turmoil to bring to Gladiator II that sells it best of all.

Ridley Scott, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and influential directors, has experienced almost every twist and turn the industry offers, from redefining the best sci-fi movies of all time with Alien and Blade Runner to crafting modern classics like Gladiator. But despite a legacy of groundbreaking films, the director wasn’t immune to the harsh sting of critical reception early in his career. In a new interview, ahead of the upcoming Gladiator II, the Thelma & Louise filmmaker revealed that the icy reception to his now-revered 1982 classic, Blade Runner, made him swear off reading reviews entirely.

In a sit-down with THR, Ridley Scott gave fans a glimpse at his 2024 movie schedule release. The legendary filmmaker also opened up about a pivotal moment that changed his approach to criticism forever: the searing reception to Blade Runner back in 1982, courtesy of renowned New Yorker critic Pauline Kael. He recounted the sting in detail:

It’s almost hard to believe now, given Blade Runner’s iconic status as one of the best movies of the '80s, but when it first hit the big screen, it was met with mixed feelings. The groundbreaking visuals, deep philosophical undertones, and the moody, neon-lit world left many scratching their heads. Critics weren’t sure what to make of it, and audiences were similarly split.

Fast forward to today, and the movie is hailed as a sci-fi masterpiece, influencing countless directors and fostering a fanbase as passionate as ever. However, those harsh early reviews left an indelible mark on The Martian director, influencing how he approached his craft and how he chose to interact—or not interact—with the voices of the critical world.

Scott’s approach to criticism may seem extreme to some, but it's an understandable coping mechanism in a career that spans 47 years. The industry veteran has witnessed firsthand how public perception can build or break careers. With this self-imposed boundary, the Napoleon helmer continues to fuel his creative spirit, unencumbered by the noise of critical reception. Instead of allowing reviews to shape his confidence or sense of accomplishment, he focuses on the art itself and his dedication to pushing boundaries.

Even at almost 87, the man’s pace is relentless. Ridley Scott recently wrapped the much-anticipated Gladiator sequel, which he’s confidently called some of his best work to date. And with early buzz for Gladiator II backing up that claim, it’s clear he didn’t let the sting of those initial Blade Runner critiques slow him down. If anything, they’ve fueled a career that shows no signs of stopping.

Gladiator II is gearing up to make its big splash in theaters on November 22, and the anticipation is real. But if you’re itching for a bit of Ridley Scott magic while you wait, why not revisit one of the best movies of the 2000s? That’s right, I’m talking about the original, Russell Crowe-led, sword-and-sandal epic, Gladiator. Lucky for you, it’s available to stream right now with a Paramount+ subscription.

The Alien franchise has been going strong since 1979, even though many fans would argue that most of the sequels don’t measure up to Ridley Scott's original film. Scott himself has never been shy about admitting that sequels to his movies made by others were substandard. While he has been critical of the Alien sequels, he feels differently about James Cameron’s Aliens and about Cameron himself.

James Cameron famously took over the Alien franchise from Scott to make Aliens, a movie he promised would make the studio lots of money. He swapped out the original film’s horror elements for a more action-oriented story. Scott tells THR that Cameron was very complimentary of the original film, and he planned to make an action movie because he already knew he couldn’t top the original movie’s fright. Scott explained…

If nothing else Cameron appreciated the compliment that Alien could not be outdone on its own terms. He calls Aliens “fun” which isn’t the same thing as calling it a great movie. But he doesn’t lump it into the same camp that he does the sequels that followed it, which he clearly feels were less than impressive, despite having arguably better technology at their disposal.

Scott says he felt after the fourth film the franchise had been run into the ground. He then had the idea to resurrect the franchise via the prequel film Prometheus. While neither of Scott's prequel Alien movies were as well received as the original, they were able to keep the franchise rolling.

Most people would likely agree both Alien and Aliens are among the best science fiction movies ever made, though it’s unlikely anybody else would count the other films in that same class. The only exception might be the most recent film in the series, as Alien: Romulus was heralded as a return to form by many critics.

The future of the Alien franchise is quite bright. An Alien TV series is on the way. What Ridley Scott will think of it all is anybody’s guess. However, Scott is also working on yet another Alien movie of his own. Fans will certainly be excited for that. Whatever happens, Aliens as a franchise isn't going anywhere.

More than two decades after one of the best movies of the 2000s Gladiator swept the Oscars and transformed historical epics, director Ridley Scott is bringing audiences back to ancient Rome with the upcoming Gladiator II. Starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, a new warrior forced into slavery and thrust into the brutal world of the Colosseum, the 2024 movie schedule release delves into themes of honor, vengeance, and justice. Yet even as fans await the November release, one scene is already stirring up controversy online — and the Alien filmmaker has been vocal in its defense. He says the haters calling out the movie’s accuracy are just “dead wrong.”

The scene in question features the Colosseum transformed into a flooded arena for a mock naval battle, complete with sharks. As soon as glimpses of this scene from the “magnificent spectacle” of a film, skeptics took to social media to question its historical accuracy, arguing that the ancient Romans lacked the engineering to flood the Colosseum, let alone with live sharks. However, in a recent interview with Collider, the Blade Runner filmmaker gave a no-holds-barred response to those critiques, saying:

Fair enough. No more questions, right?

Scott’s known for his unfiltered approach and doesn’t apologize for taking creative liberties if it means delivering a jaw-dropping experience. His belief? The ancient Romans were technological masterminds. And while not every historian agrees on the specifics, records indicate that the Romans loved their “naumachiae” — elaborate, staged naval battles meant to flaunt their engineering prowess and entertain the crowds. So sure, maybe it’s a bit bold, but considering the empire’s over-the-top legacy, the idea of flooding an arena isn’t as far-fetched as some might think.

Ridley Scott’s take on the Colosseum’s waterworks isn’t just about showing off; it’s rooted in his philosophy on historical storytelling. He’s known for that signature mix: meticulous research with a dash of creative flair, always prioritizing immersion and impactful action movie-making over nitpicky accuracy. For Gladiator II, the shark-infested naval battle isn’t a gimmick—it’s a way to capture the audacious spirit of Roman entertainment. And while fans argue about how realistic it all is, the 86-year-old English movie maker couldn’t care less about the naysayers. As long as it amplifies the story, it’s worth it for him.

Despite the chatter around the accuracy of the shark-filled Colosseum scene, Gladiator II is expected to capture the same sense of epic scale and emotional depth that made the original a modern classic, with Ridley Scott calling the sequel some of his best work and early buzz for Gladiator II has certainly been strong. As the November 22nd release approaches, fans will soon have the chance to decide for themselves whether the Thelma & Louise helmer’s vision of Rome — with flooded Colosseums and shark-infested waters — does justice to the legacy of Gladiator.

Debate or no debate, one thing’s clear: Scott’s passion for breathing life into ancient history is unstoppable. And if that means spicing things up with a little cinematic flair? All the better.

Want to dive back into the original Gladiator before the sequel hits? You can stream it now with a Paramount+ subscription. And if you’re ready to jump on next year’s lineup, don’t miss our list of all the upcoming 2025 movies.

It couldn’t have pleased me more to see Alien: Romulus absolutely crush in its box office run on the 2024 movie schedule. Director Fede Álvarez’s midquel was a dark spectacle that proved the saga still has a loyal fanbase, whether or not Ellen Ripley is present.

That development has apparently inspired some movement in further expanding the Alien movie timeline. I’m chestbursting with excitement after reading that not only do we have a Romulus sequel in development to look forward to, but Ridley Scott is actually working on an idea of his own.

Ridley Scott’s Super Busy Dance Card Now Includes An Alien Sequel

A recent THR profile on Scott and his production company, Scott Free, talked up quite a few of the projects that the Academy Award nominee has on the table at the moment. Among the pile of potential pictures are concepts like writer Joe Penhall’s script about the Battle of Britain, the previously announced thriller Bomb with scribe Kevin McMullin, and, of course, his currently developing Gladiator III.

Scott’s previous regrets over not making sequels to classic films like Blade Runner and Alien certainly do seem to be motivating him to revive and develop the franchises he’s left behind in the past. Clearly that F-bomb filled reaction to Alien: Romulus wasn’t the final word on Ridley Scott’s excitement over the wide wide world of Xenomorphs. His potential return couldn't come at a better time, as there’s an important story I think he’s looking to finish with his hypothetical follow-up.

What I Think This New Ridley Scott Alien Movie Will Be About

I love big swing movies. I’ve been on the record about this several times in the past, and I even recently talked about why Halloween III is the best classic series entry. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that I love what both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant added to 20th Century Studios’ long running franchise.

And it’s that thread that I think Ridley Scott is about to return to with this brand new bag. Considering how well Fede Álvarez and frequent collaborator/co-writer Rodo Sayagues threaded the needle to include nods to pretty much every Alien entry in the series, there's plenty of room for another chapter in the earlier half of this story.

Alien: Covenant’s ending in particular was left wide open for more handiwork through Michael Fassbender’s David. While I don’t know if Scott is looking to just close this loop with one film, or if he’s still willing to explore a couple more entries before the series closes in on Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Alien female lead, it’s certainly tempting to have his touch back in the series; especially when his big swings come with some pretty huge casting calls.

Recentering ourselves in reality for a moment, we don’t know if we’ll even see this new Alien movie from Ridley Scott anytime soon. Nor do I, or anybody outside of Scott Free’s inner circle, have an inkling as to what this story truly will be about. All I do know is that 20th Century Studios’ Alien and Predator plans are very bullish when it comes to both of those series, and I’m ready to see more from both sides.

No matter which side wins, we win in this case, as you can run through almost the entire libraries of those sci-fi masterworks with the power of a Hulu subscription. But if you want to watch Alien: Romulus, you’ll have to either rent or buy it digitally at the moment, or wait until December 3rd for the physical release that includes the first VHS from a major studio in over a decade. Until we meet again, don’t let the bedbugs bite.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II is one of the most anticipated releases on the 2024 movie schedule, and rightfully so. Its predecessor is one of the best movies of the 2000s and the cast the director has assembled for the long-awaited sequel is top-tier. Speaking of the ensemble, there’s already Oscar buzz surrounding them and this movie. After first reactions to Gladiator II rolled in, many are singling out Denzel Washington’s performance as trophy-worthy, which makes me very happy.

As I said, the cast of Gladiator II is epic as it is led by Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen. However, the legend of the bunch is unquestionably Denzel Washington, and it would appear he reiterated that point with his performance in this film. While early posts about the project applauded the ensemble and the grand scale of it, the Training Day actor was specifically mentioned in many cases as the Oscar contender, with folks like @JillianChili writing:

In the new movie, Washington plays Macrinus, “an arms dealer who supplies food for the armies in Europe” and is a “very wealthy man,” Scott told Vanity Fair. The Gladiator II trailers also reveal that he seems to play a big role in Paul Mescal’s Lucius’ journey as a gladiator too. To be frank, he seems like a smooth-talking gangster in ancient Rome, and he’s so cool!

According to @bsha0517, that sentiment is true, and the actor steals basically every scene he’s in as they explained:

I could feel that “pure magic” just by watching the trailer, so I can’t imagine how great he is in the entire film. Also, knowing that Washington is going all out for Gladiator II makes things even better, because if he’s having fun, we’ll likely have fun too. In fact, even if you don’t love the film, which was @mavericksmovies thoughts, you will be enthralled by the actor’s performance no matter what as he wrote:

So, I guess we should be adding Gladiator II to the list of Denzel Washington’s best movies and engraving his Oscar. To restate that point @The_Summerman hilariously posted:

It’s not just the Oscar the Fences actor might take home either, @ByClaytonDavis noted that he could finally get the recognition he’s deserved his whole career because of this film. He wrote:

So far, Washington has nine individual acting Oscar nominations and two wins – Glory and Training Day are the films he won trophies for. (Fences also landed him a 10th nomination for Best Picture.) Considering he’s one of the greatest actors working right now, that number feels a little low. However, based on these reactions, it sounds like he’s on his way to another nomination and maybe --hopefully -- a third win.

Now, to see if all this hype is lived up to (which, I’m 100% sure it will be), you can catch Gladiator II in theaters starting November 22.

It may have taken 23 years for Gladiator 2 to happen, but I have a feeling it will be well worth the wait to see fellow Oscar nominee Paul Mescal leading the sequel donning that armor. He’ll be playing Maximus' son Lucius who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by General Marcus Acacius’ army. Despite the trailer making Mescal’s fight scene with a rhinoceros look so flawless, there is one thing about filming the long-awaited sequel that the Irish actor will “forever be angry” at director Ridley Scott for.

Paul Mescal first made a name for himself working on smaller indie projects like All of Us Strangers and Aftersun. However, the large-scale sequel Gladiator 2 gave him a new set of challenges to learn from like tackling his nerves working with Denzel Washington on his first day and heavy action sequences. But, Mescal told GQ that there was one challenging thing about filming Gladiator 2 that he’ll “forever be angry” at director Ridley Scott for:

I don’t blame Paul Mescal in that sense. The Ireland native recently described the Colosseum scenes as “brutal” describing the arena as a “radiator” with the sandy floor being so hot. I can imagine that fake tan makeup having to keep getting reapplied in between takes. Then again, that aggression Mescal felt filming those scenes must have gone in handy going into character as a toughened gladiator.

As GQ explains Gladiator 2 is bigger and more violent than the original movie, which must mean the action sequences are much more intense. And here, I thought seeing Russell Crowe in the best picture-winning film fighting off tigers was intense enough. Now, we see his son, Lucius, having to go up against a rhinoceros! But as Ridley Scott promised we'll be seeing “the biggest action sequence” he’s ever shot, I’d like to believe all of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the shooting was well worth it to deliver audiences action scenes they'll remember.

One thing that Paul Mescal and Russell Crowe have in common with their Gladiator experiences is being fearless in the Ancient Rome action scenes. The New Zealand actor said he was surprisingly good at doing his own stunts for the historical epic film because of his theatre background following dance choreography for musicals. The Normal People actor, on the other hand, has experience as a Gaelic football captain. So, it’s no wonder the 28-year-old actor knew how to get ripped for the role with his co-star, Joseph Quinn, saying he would not want to have a showdown with him at the gym. Now, that’s a real-life gladiator right there.

Paul Mescal may “forever be angry” at Ridley Scott for making him do fight sequences during the peak of summer, but he can’t deny that the experience made him a stronger actor. Now if he takes on any future action roles, he’ll know he’s survived the worst of battling Mother Nature’s strong sun while donning armor. Audiences will have the chance to see Mescal embracing the heat in Gladiator 2 with the 2024 movie release in theaters on November 22nd.

Gladiator was a huge hit in its day. It was that rare film that was both a massive blockbuster, bringing in $465 million worldwide in 2000, and an awards darling, winning multiple Oscars including Best Actor and Best Picture. It’s the sort of film that even a quarter century ago, any studio would have been looking to make a sequel quickly in an attempt to recreate that success. So why are we only getting Gladiator II just now?

Ridley Scott’s simple answer to the question when asked by EW is that the idea of making a sequel to Gladiator simply never came up at the time, because everybody just moved on to other projects. Once everybody was working on other things, Gladiator moved into the background. Scott said…

It’s maybe not that surprising that nobody was thinking of a Gladiator sequel right off the bat. Russell Crowe's best movies were all coming out in this period and following Gladiator, he was in very high demand. The film would mark the second of three consecutive Best Actor Oscar nominations for the star. Ridley Scott would release two movies he directed the year after Gladiator, including the equally impressive Black Hawk Down.

While Gladiator II certainly isn’t the only sequel to make its way to theaters decades after a previous installment, it’s perhaps a somewhat surprising film to get an update now. It feels like the sort of movie that would have gotten a sequel quickly or not at all. However, Ridley Scott says that it was watching the original Gladiator continue to be popular over time that led him to decide that he owed it to "the number one to find out about a number two.

Of course, Russell Crowe’s character Maximus had died by the end of the first movie, so any sequel would need to contend with that. There were some ideas for Gladiator II when the project was first being considered that would have found a way to bring Maximus back, but none of that ever seemed to get very far off the ground. Instead, the new film will be set decades later and see Paul Mescal as an adult Lucius, a character who was a child in the first film.

In the end, it seems like the delay of more than two decades between Gladiator movies was the right call. Ridley Scott is calling the sequel some of his best work, which is a pretty bold statement in and of itself. Audiences will find out how true that is when the movie hits theaters next month, but the early buzz for Gladiator II has certainly been strong. Perhaps Gladiator II will ultimately be as successful, both with box office dollars and awards, as its predecessor.

The 2024 movie schedule is filled with major titles facing large expectations. It’s fair to say that’s definitely the case with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, the long-gestating sequel to the director’s Oscar-winning 2000 historical epic starring Russell Crowe. Well, the time has finally arrived, as the first batch of critics have feasted their eyes on Scott’s latest, and they are entertained! Not only are they down for the British filmmaker’s “bloody” epic, but they’re also loving the performances of Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington.

Critics and general audiences alike have seemingly been anticipating a sprawling blockbuster from the man behind Alien, Blade Runner and more cinematic classics. And it would seem that’s exactly what was delivered, based on the early reactions that were posted to X. Film pundit Scott Menzel was among those who was high on the movie and showered praise upon the aforementioned actors:

Fellow critic Caitlin Tyrrell had glowing thoughts of her own to share on the long-awaited movie. She shared how it perfectly continued the narrative established in the original film but also managed to stand on its own. Tyrrell also heaped more praise on the cast, including the Aftersun and Fences stars:

It probably shouldn’t be too surprising that Ridley Scott – who’s been lauded for historical dramas – has managed to deliver yet again. Set over 20 years after the events of the original movie, the sequel focuses on the now-adult Lucius – the son of Lucilla and the late Maximus. After his home is invaded by Roman soldiers and his family is killed, Lucius finds himself in slavery and eventually aspires to become a gladiator like his father before him. Along the way, Lucius is mentored by Denzel Washington’s Macrinus – an arms dealer and ex-slave who has plans to take control of Rome.

After the first trailer for Gladiator II debuted, the Equalizer star was quickly predicted to be the movie’s scene-stealer. Clayton Davis of Variety would likely agree with that assessment based on his reaction to the movie. He shared nothing but praise for the film and, while lauding the cast, he made a bold prediction about the American Gangster star:

Despite the wave of praise that’s washing over Ridley Scott’s latest movie, it’s apparently not a perfect film. Discussing Film’s Andrew J. Salazar argued that the follow-up lacked a bit of the bite and focus that its predecessor possessed. However, Salazar also counted the performances and visuals as bright spots:

That “unhinged” remark honestly has me even more eager to see the movie for myself, to be honest. When veteran entertainment journalist Scott Mantz shared his take on the film, that wasn’t an adjective he used. His post included descriptors like “epic,” “amazing” and “great”:

Amid the praise for Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, the cast is also filled with some other excellent actors. The Gladiator II cast also includes Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla. It’s exciting to hear such great reactions to the film early on but, of course, you should form your own opinion. See the film in theaters starting on November 22 and, in the meantime, stream the first movie with a Paramount+ subscription.

One has to imagine that for Paul Mescal the upcoming Gladiator II was a nerve-wracking experience. He was taking over the lead in the sequel to a movie that was both a box office success and an Oscar winner. He was going to be directed by the iconic Ridley Scott. And yet Mescal says there weren’t many nerves after his initial awe, because Scott made it clear he wasn’t going to stand for that.

Based on the Gladiator II trailer, the movie is going to look quite incredible with its recreation of ancient Rome, and in an interview with our sister site Total Film, star Paul Mescal certainly confirms that was the case. But he says that he didn’t have much time to get nervous because Ridley Scott took care of that fairly quickly, with the first thing he told the actor before filming began. Mescal said…

Ridley Scott is certainly a director who tells it like he sees it. He’s been bluntly critical of sequels to his films made by others when other directors might simply stay quiet. He’s called Gladiator II one of the best movies he’s ever made, so he’s certainly not downplaying its potential and he’s setting expectations quite high.

The idea that Mescal would be nervous certainly makes sense. Who wouldn’t be in his shoes? The actor admits he had to get out of his own head when it came to being in the Gladiator II cast. He says Russell Crowe left quite a legacy. However, because he’s not actually playing the same role, he didn’t feel the same pressure. Mescal continued…

On the one hand, making Gladiator II its own movie, with its own characters, may help it as it will be more difficult to compare the movie to its predecessor. At the same time, if the film is too different from the first, it may not be the movie that fans are looking forward to or expecting. Ridley Scott has promised incredible action for the sequel, which will likely help any potential audience members who are as nervous as Paul Mescal.

Gladiator II is set two decades after the first film, and follows Lucius, a child in the first film, as he follows in the footsteps of Russell Crowe’s Maximus and becomes a Gladiator and an inspiration. The movie will hit theaters in November.

On a special point that lands towards the end of the 2024 movie schedule, strength and honor await a new generation. As Gladiator II is getting set to step back into the Colosseum this fall, there’s going to be a lot of stories about director Ridley Scott’s skills behind the camera.

But if there’s any member of the Gladiator II cast that has quite possibly the best stories about the franchise, it’d have to be returning actor Connie Nielsen. Her latest comments about reuniting with Scott and his legendary creation have me even more excited to see this long awaited legacy-quel.

Speaking with EW about reprising the role of Lucilla, Nielsen provided a fantastic picture of what it was like to be on the actual set of this long-developing follow-up. Keeping that in mind, take a look at the first piece of the Gladiator II gushing:

As someone familiar with Connie Nielsen’s favorite Gladiator memory, this story absolutely tracks. In the modern leg of Ridley Scott’s career, the man has always mixed very practical delights along with CGI tricks and treats mixed in. The director has a pretty steady hand when it comes to knowing what to keep and what to ditch, which can be seen in some of the scenes and creatures that Scott has tweaked/deleted from pictures like Prometheus, and yes, even Gladiator.

Without being able to balance the “magnificent spectacle” of Gladiator II, or any other project he’s tackled throughout his career, Alien’s director wouldn’t have the reputation he currently enjoys. Further testimonials from the set of his would-be 2024 hit can attest to that much, as further comments from Connie Nielsen explain the purpose it all serves:

Ridley Scott didn’t have to make Gladiator II, and the man himself understands that quite keenly. But now that we’ve seen not only Gladiator II’s first trailer, but also learned about Scott’s demands for making the sequel, there's no denying that this is the only way the next chapter should have happened. With the tightrope between the action of CGI and practical being walked finely yet again, the hype surrounding making the movie is primed to translate into rather promising results.

Considering that the finished product can still wow Connie Nielsen 25 years after making the original picture, it’s a good sign that us fans should be preparing to be similarly impressed. With that in mind, here's a friendly reminder that Gladiator II’s release date is November 22nd, and you can currently stream the previous entry by using your Paramount+ subscription.

Sequels are tricky business, especially if you are Ridley Scott working on Gladiator II. By now, many fans are aware of the upcoming sequel to one of the best movies of the 2000s and its stacked cast that includes Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, and Pedro Pascal. However, the question remains, how do you capture the same magic the iconic film did 24 years later? Well, Ridley Scott had one condition for making this sequel happen, and it’s a no-brainer.

So far, it’s been revealed that Gladiator II will feature a time jump of about 25 years, that picks up with Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus, son of Lucilla, in North Africa. That’s quite far removed from our original setting. And there’s really only one arena where action and bloodshed of this nature can take place. However, don't worry about that. In an interview with our sister site Total Film, the Alien filmmaker said one major factor was non-negotiable for the sequel: he had to return to Rome. The director said:

If there’s anyone I trust to get the job done, it’s Ridley Scott, but I’m really glad this plot detail worked out. It might seem like a given, but there was no guarantee when it came to returning to the same arena seeing as it's a major historical site.

The original Gladiator ended with our star, Russell Crowe’s Maximus, dead. Apparently, the 23-year gap between the making of the two films was due to a bit of writer’s block as well. Where do you go with your main character dead? How do you get back to the arena?

Obviously, they got that sorted, but we will have to wait until Gladiator II's premiere on the 2024 movie schedule in November to see the full result. However, we can be sure about one thing after watching the Gladiator sequel's trailer, when it comes down to the nitty gritty details, the Blade Runner director spared no expense. Authenticity is the name of the game with the Napoleon director, especially when it comes to telling stories that take place in historical settings.

Gladiator II’s new villain Joseph Quinn said it was “nuts” to work on such a realistic set of that size and scale. Also, not only will we find our way back to the infamous center of the Roman Empire, but our new gladiators, Mescal and Pedro Pascal, will find themselves back in the Colosseum too. And trust me, our stars took their roles seriously by getting absolutely shredded for this battle.

Gladiator II promises to be even more action-packed than the original, as it's mixing practical action with some newer AI techniques (mostly for the already famous rhino).

After all, with a sequel, you want to capture the same energy, not make an exact replica. I mean, no one can exactly recreate the dynamic between Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, but I trust the Aftersun star and Stranger Things actor will put their own spin on the fated Gladiator relationship.

With all the behind-the-scenes looks, the incredible director who was committed to his vision for the film and the staked cast, I don’t see how this movie could be bad.

While the sequel seems reminiscent of the original in all the best ways, including its legendary filming locations, people looking for the exact Gladiator plot can just rewatch it with a Paramount+ subscription. But for those who want to see Paul Mescal fight a rhino and engage in some wicked swordplay with Pedro Pascal, you can head to the theater on November 22.

One of the most highly anticipated films on the 2024 movie schedule has to be Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. The first Gladiator was that rare movie that was both a box office smash and a major award winner. This means the sequel is going to have quite a high bar to clear, but Ridley Scott seems quite confident that it will do just that.

Speaking with Empire, Ridley Scott didn't mince words regarding Gladiator II. He initially called it the best movie he’s ever made, which is an incredible statement for a director with his pedigree to make. Ultimately, Scott did dial the praise for his newest film back, but only slightly, saying:

The director is clearly being modest here. To say that Ridley Scott has “made a few good ‘uns” is a pretty significant understatement. This is the man behind Alien, Blade Runner and Black Hawk Down. The best Ridley Scott movies are among some of the best movies ever made, period.

He’s been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director three times. While not every film Scott has made has become an instant classic, he’s delivered often enough great movies that he likely knows when he’s made something special. Whatever you think Ridley Scott’s best movie is, he thinks Gladiator II is in that league.

When you look at something like Kingdom of Heaven, a movie that is one of the few times that a Director’s Cut has truly elevated the material compared to a theatrical cut, then you can see just how good Ridley Scott can be when he’s firing on all cylinders. According to Scott himself, this is one of those times.

Of course, Ridley Scott better be right, because all he’s doing is getting me hyped up for Gladiator II. I can’t argue that the Gladiator II trailer makes the movie look absolutely incredible, at least visually. Scott calls it “full bore brutal action” and certainly that’s the way it’s being presented. But if the movie really is some of Ridley Scott’s best work, then there’s a lot more going on than just incredible cinematography.

Honestly, it fits. I still remember sitting down to watch the original Gladiator on opening weekend, not honestly expecting much out of it, and being blown away by how good it was. Going into Gladiator II, people are going to be expecting something as good as the first, and if it is even better than that, it will rank among Ridley Scott’s best. That’s an exciting prospect. We’ll find out if it really is that good when the Gladiator II release date arrives this fall.

The Alien franchise has long been hailed as a benchmark in the sci-fi genre and one of the best horror movies, with the original films cementing their place as all-time greats. Even decades later, the series continues to draw audiences, and the latest entry, Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus -- which recently hit the 2024 movie schedule -- is no exception, raking in impressive box office numbers. Recently, Álvarez shared how franchise creator and EP Ridley Scott offered him crucial advice, which even legendary director Martin Scorsese follows, and it’s such a great note.

The Don’t Breathe helmer revealed while speaking with NME that Ridley Scott played a significant role in the creative process. In the early stages of development, Scott, who directed the original Alien and has served as a critical figure in the franchise for over 40 years, met with Fede Álvarez to discuss the broader strokes of the story. Not only was Scott “really supportive,” but he also imparted some invaluable wisdom related to the post-production process. Álvarez told the outlet:

Fede Álvarez explained that following Ridley Scott's advice allowed him to view the film with fresh eyes after his break, helping him make creative decisions with renewed clarity. Honestly, I'm not sure how one could argue with that solid logic. It's intriguing to hear that the concept of stepping back during the filmmaking process is a strategy that’s not only utilized by the Blade Runner director but also by the one-and-only Martin Scorsese. About Scorsese, the Evil Dead director added:

The advice reflects a broader filmmaking philosophy that many directors tend to overlook—sometimes, stepping away from a project is essential for gaining a fresh perspective. It's great to hear that Fede Álvarez's decision to take that break allowed him to bring a renewed vision to his Alien flick.

After finally seeing Romulus myself, I can say it paid off. In my opinion, it stands strong among the best sci-fi movies out there. While the franchise's previous entry, Covenant, struggled at the box office despite positive reviews, Mr. Álvarez’s offering brings a fresh approach that has been resonating with longtime fans and newcomers alike. Good on him for taking the advice of the cinema sage that is Ridley Scott!

Fans who are eager to see the finished work should know that Alien: Romulus is still playing in cinemas near you. And, if you're looking to revisit the original films, they’re available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

In the summer of 2000, Ridley Scott unleashed Gladiator, a sword-and-sandals epic that redefined the genre and solidified its place as one of the best movies of the '00s. This historical drama wasn't just a hit; it was a juggernaut, pulling in a massive $451.7 million at the global box office and snagging multiple Oscars, including Best Picture. Now, 24 years later, the upcoming Gladiator 2 will finally hit theaters, and it promises to be a worthy successor. However, before this sequel took shape, there were several wild ideas for a follow-up, and none more “out there” than Ridley Scott’s supernatural pitch.

In a recent interview with Empire (via SlashFilm), Scott shared details about his bold, supernatural vision for Gladiator 2, which I honestly wish had gotten the chance to see the light of day. This concept would have seen the stoic Maximus return from the dead in a storyline that would shift dramatically from historical drama to spiritual epic. As the Alien creator tells it:

At the heart of the original story was the tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a betrayed Roman general, played to perfection by Russell Crowe, on a mission for vengeance. In Scott's idea for a sequel -- dating back to around 2006 -- the movie would have begun with Maximus and thousands of others standing on the shores of the River Styx, waiting for Charon to ferry them to the afterlife.

This spiritual epic would have explored themes of resurrection and the afterlife, drawing heavily from mythological elements rather than sticking to the grounded, historical tone of the original film.

The studio, however, was not on board with such a radical departure. The shift from a historical narrative to a fantastical one didn't sit well with the producers and investors, who felt it was too far removed from what made the original Gladiator a success, a flick you can watch over and over, and frankly, still one of Scott’s and Russel Crowe’s best films. Despite Scott's enthusiasm for his comic strip-inspired idea, the pitch was ultimately rejected.

While that plan didn't work out, over two decades after the original hit our screens, a sequel is finally premiering on the 2024 movie schedule, and honestly, it's about time! Now, we might not get to see Ridley’s wild supernatural spin or Maximus battling in the afterlife and traveling through centuries, but don’t worry, the new film still looks like it will be a "magnificent spectacle" in true Gladiator fashion.

Set 20 years after the first movie, this sequel shifts its focus to Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), the young boy from the original, now stepping into the arena for his own intense battles.

With a stellar cast that brings back Derek Jacobi and Connie Nielsen, plus the incredible Denzel Washington as the ambitious would-be emperor Macrinus, it is poised to be an epic intergenerational saga. It's less about rehashing the past and more about building on the legacy in a fresh, thrilling way.

As we prepare for Gladiator II's November 22 release, there's still plenty of time to revisit the original film. If you want to refresh your memory or experience the classic once more, you can stream Gladiator now with an Amazon Prime subscription.

When it comes to sequels in Hollywood, there is a certain logic in studios taking a "more of the same" approach. After all, follow-up movies are generally produced following a successful release, and it makes sense to try and give audiences more of what they've proven to like. One franchise that has long been an exception to this, however, is Alien – and that difference is very much reflected in Sigourney Weaver's recalled reaction to reading the script for James Cameron's Aliens for the first time.

Weaver is currently having a big week, as she received the the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, and while recently reflecting on her incredible career in an interview with Deadline, she was asked about her experience working with directors Ridley Scott and James Cameron for Alien and Aliens. She remembers that she was aboard working on a project when she first got the screenplay for the latter title (easily one of the great science-fiction films of all time), and she was blown away by how different it was from the former. Said Weaver,

One can assume that Sigourney Weaver was expecting Aliens to be a more traditional sequel that would see the heroic Ellen Ripley once again locked into another horrific circumstance involving a monstrous xenomorph (or multiple xenomorphs, as the title of the sequel implies), but she instead found herself reading a completely different kind of story – one that would see her teaming up with a crew of space marines investigating an emergency situation on a moon colony. Instead of being straight horror like its predecessor, Aliens is an extremely awesome action movie.

Back in the mid-1980s, Weaver was shocked by the radical new direction for Aliens, but she also very clearly has a great deal of appreciation for the franchise turning her into a cinematic legend as a female hero. In the new interview, she couldn't specifically contrast the difference between working with Ridley Scott and James Cameron, but she did acknowledge that none of her work in the Alien franchise (also including Alien3 and Alien: Resurrection) had her getting a "more of the same" feeling. Said the actor,

Of course, the Alien franchise is big in the zeitgeist right now thanks to Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus – which has both been well-received by critics and has pushed Deadpool & Wolverine out of the top spot at the box office. The new film is currently playing in theaters everywhere, but if you're in the mood to revisit the classic chapters of the beloved franchise starring Sigourney Weaver, all of the movies in the Alien movie timeline are currently available to watch with a Hulu subscription.

I know, I know, I might as well have been in cryosleep my whole life, because I had no idea James Cameron’s Aliens would be as good as it is. The 1986 movie is high up on our list for the best horror movies of all time and the best sci-fi movies ever made, but even still, it took my anticipation for the release of Alien: Romulus to finally press play. Sure, I had seen the original Alien movie years ago, but recently I’ve been finally making my way through the Alien movie timeline, and I need to talk about my thoughts regarding the franchise’s first sequel.

So here’s the thing: Hollywood doesn’t have the best track record with sequels. In my opinion, it's incredibly rare for the second movie in a blockbuster to be worth seeing, especially for the '80s. There’s the re-watchability of the iconic Back To The Future Part II and the Star Wars movies, or the way Terminator 2: Judgement Day transformed Sarah Connor to think about, but then there are movies like Jaws 2 or Halloween II that really didn’t hold a candle to their iconic first films. I didn’t think Aliens could possibly be as good as the first, but I’m happy to realize that assumption was wrong.

Aliens Drops Ripley Into A War Movie, And It’s A Blast 

While I expected the second Alien movie to follow the same final girl trope the first movie is famous for, I was surprised to learn that James Cameron’s sequel goes a different route with the framing of another Xenomorph invasion while viewing it with my Hulu subscription. Rather than Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley being caught in the same scenario for the second time, she finds herself waking up after 57 years in her escape shuttle and among a group of Colonial Marines. While Alien was a science fiction survival slasher in a lot of ways, Aliens feels a lot more like an action-packed war movie, as Ripley and a crew of these Marines go on a mission to exterminate a ton of Xenomorphs that have invaded their colony.

This premise gives Aliens a new place to go that is both exciting and not a rehash of the practically perfect Ridley Scott film. It was engaging to see how Ripley has been affected by the events of the first movie and how the crew of Marines deal with killing off the very dangerous extraterrestrials. Also, as a massive fan of Cameron’s other movies, I loved how much Aliens reminds me of T2, yet kept the integrity of the world Scott established.

Ellen Ripley Is In Good Hands With James Cameron 

Along that same vein, I was pleased to see Ripley remained the badass iconic female character she is (who is not solely defined by her gender, but sets herself apart from male leads in the genre) for Aliens. I'm sorry to say this is a rare notion, even sometimes in today's major releases. So naturally, this was one of the major concerns I had going into Aliens. I’ve seen instances of one filmmaker doing right by a woman-led movie, only for the sequel to water her down. Thankfully, Ripley was in the hands of writer/director James Cameron, who has a commendable reputation of writing female characters over the years. You can really spot the difference too of how Scott and Cameron did right by her when you watch the very male-gazey Alien 3, that’s for sure.

I was impressed with how Aliens explores Ripley’s trauma without either victimizing her, glorifying her or likening her to some kind of video game-like character who has all the gifts and special traits. Ripley has a quiet confidence about her, and Weaver’s portrayal of her really grounds the movies because she's a protagonist that isn't put on a pedestal. I love that Cameron allowed there to be room for her to deal with the emotions she has regarding her trauma whilst also giving her some major action moments that were not as present in Scott’s original horror flick, such as her in the techno-suit fighting the queen and telling her to “Get away from her, you bitch!” of course.

The Alien Franchise Is Better For The Inclusion On Newt 

I particularly loved the introduction of Newt in Aliens. The character is a great addition to the franchise because the inclusion of Newt allows Ripley to process her trauma with someone who has just experienced the same thing as she has. Ripley finds strength through being there for Newt, and protecting her gives her another reason to push forward and make a meaningful relationship with another character. After the death of her entire crew in Alien, it’s surely difficult for Ripley to form major connections with all the Marines knowing they may all die, but she can focus on the survival and well-being of Newt, and does.

I also appreciate how neither Ripley or Newt are these superhuman action heroes. They feel like real people who are relying on each other in order to survive. The inclusion of Newt helps humanize Ripley further in a way that was not fully explored in Alien, and that in of itself made me happy this sequel exists.

And I’m Amazed Aliens Doesn’t Look As Old As It Is

When I rewatched Alien, I was struck by how it didn’t feel like a movie made in the 1970s due to a huge amount of practical effects and a rather timeless script and set design. Aliens continues that feeling, and of course it does. It’s James Cameron! The amount of practical sets and effects is really felt as one watches the movie. I swear it even looks better than some science fiction and horror movies I’ve seen in this decade. Apparently an FX artist from Aliens is even part of the Alien: Romulus production; that’s how well this movie holds up on a visual level!

As my love for the Alien movies has now formed more deeply, I can see myself easily either choosing between Alien or Aliens based on my mood, or opting for a double feature for both in a row like I do with other awesome movies that have just as good sequels. I’m sure for the huge Alien fans who read this, this is not news, but I hope my fresh perspective on seeing it for the first time was insightful And for those who had only seen Alien or haven’t dipped their feet into any of the movies, I can now highly recommend you check them both out without fear the sequel will disappoint you.

Get ready to be “entertained” for the upcoming Gladiator 2. Legendary director Ridley Scott returns to lead this eagerly anticipated sequel, bringing along an all-star cast that includes the likes of Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal and promising plenty of action in this highly anticipated period action movie follow-up. However, Scott's comments about the use of AI in the film might raise some eyebrows. The sequel greatly relied on the use of artificial intelligence, with it even being used for that massive two-ton rhino, and Scott insists that we have to "embrace it."

As the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning epic approaches its 2024 movie release, technology is taking center stage. In a recent interview with Empire, Scott discussed how advanced computerization and AI are crucial in bringing the sequel to life. The acclaimed director is fully embracing the cutting-edge tools available to filmmakers today, crafting a spectacle that promises to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. Here’s what he had to say to the publication:

AI plays a pivotal role in one of the film's most anticipated scenes, where Lucius faces a marauding rhino in the Colosseum. This sequence highlights not only the narrative's intensity but also the technological advancements that have transformed filmmaking since the original Gladiator captivated audiences and became one of the best movies of the 2000s. Sir Scott and his team have harnessed cutting-edge computerization and AI to truly create a lifelike rhino, seamlessly blending practical effects with digital wizardry.

This epic rhino scene, which you can watch in the recently released Gladiator 2 trailer, is just one example of how Gladiator 2 is pushing the boundaries of epic storytelling. By seamlessly blending practical and digital effects, the Alien helmer is crafting a cinematic experience that promises to thrill audiences with scale and realism.

Artificial intelligence's role in cinema is a hot topic in the industry, especially given recent events. Hollywood recently experienced the 2023 WGA writers' strike and the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike, where one of the primary issues was how to protect creative professionals in the AI era. Despite writers and actors securing a strong new contract, Sony's top executive has announced the studio's plans to integrate AI into its filmmaking process moving forward.

That aside, Gladiator II is set to bring a new era of strength and honor to the big screen on November 22nd. But there's also the question of whether the use of AI dampen fans' excitement or draw strong responses from fellow creatives within the industry. Only time will tell how general audiences and industry professionals will react as Ridley Scott and other filmmakers continue to utilize AI in their movies.

One film you won’t have to worry about being affected by AI is Russell Crowe’s iconic original, Gladiator. You can revisit it by streaming the movie on several platforms, including with a Paramount+ subscription.

One of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies on the 2024 movie schedule is the forthcoming Alien: Romulus. So, to hype it up, the star of the latest installment in the legendary sci-fi movie franchise, Cailee Spaeny, shared her childhood memories of watching the original Alien and her experiences working with practical Xenomorphs.

The young actress is stepping into a world that has terrified and fascinated audiences since Ridley Scott's iconic 1979 film. In an interview with Empire, Spaeny revealed how her first encounter with the movie left a lasting impression on her and how it prepared her for her role in the new movie. She recalled a vivid memory from her childhood that demonstrated the intense impact the Xenomorphs had on her, saying:

This early experience with Alien planted the seeds for her later involvement in the franchise, offering a unique full-circle moment in her career. For Romulus, director Fede Álvarez aimed to return to the franchise's roots by incorporating practical effects and animatronics, he even brought in some of the original VFX artists from Alien.

Spaeny expressed her excitement about working with real-life Xenomorphs rather than relying solely on CGI. She continued:

The influence of the late great H.R. Giger’s original creature designs also played a significant role in creating an atmosphere of fear and awe on the set of Alien: Romulus. Giger's unique artistic vision, which blends elements of human anatomy with mechanical and otherworldly features, continues to unsettle and mesmerize audiences.

Spaeny acknowledged the primal fear that Giger’s designs evoke, emphasizing that even after multiple encounters with the Xenomorphs, their presence still managed to terrify her during filming. The actress shared:

As fans like myself eagerly anticipate the release of Alien: Romulus, set to hit theaters on August 16, Cailee Spaeny's reflections on her childhood memories and experiences on set suggest a return to the franchise's roots. I, for one, am excited to witness this nostalgic direction. In the meantime, revisiting the original Alien movies in order could help get you into the spirit of the new film.