Gladiator 2 movie .Filming will begin in May in Ouarzazate, Morocco
Filming for the long-awaited sequel to the 2001 Oscar-winning "Gladiator" is set to begin in May with locations already selected in Ouarzazate, Morocco. According to the British press, which quotes a source close to the production, filming locations in the Moroccan city have indeed been chosen for the new film which could be “ready” as early as 2024.
"The search for actors to play the main roles has also already begun", adds the same source, recalling that the project has germinated "since 2018 and for a long time it seemed that it would never see the light of day". However, “at the end of last year, the production team managed to agree on an inspiring new script. A few months later, everything was operational and now the project is well advanced,” she adds.
Indiscretions last month suggested the new film would follow the story of Lucius - the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix's tyrannical character Commodus, who was rescued by Maximus in the first film.
The first film earned 11 Oscar nominations before scooping up five awards in 2001, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe Russell, whose character meets an untimely death at the end of the film.
EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott always said he would return to the Colosseum to continue the story of his blockbuster epic Gladiator, and it looks like we are getting close to having that wish granted. Sources tell Deadline that Normal People star Paul Mescal is in negotiations to lead the Paramount sequel to the Oscar-winning pic, with Scott returning to the directing chair. Scott also will produce, along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss as well as Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. David Scarpa penned the script.
Also returning from the original film are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max. The first film was co-production between Universal and DreamWorks, and while DreamWorks will not be involved in the sequel, Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.