Gladiator II is a historical action movie directed by Ridley Scott. It’s a sequel to the 2000 hit Gladiator and follows the story of Lucius, once a Roman Empire heir.
The movie’s script was written by David Scarpa, based on a story he created with Peter Craig. The main stars include Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi also return from the original film.
Gladiator II will be released on November 14, 2024, in Australia and New Zealand, November 15 in the UK, and November 22 in the U.S.
Where was Gladiator II Filmed?
Gladiator II was filmed in 3 main locations. The desert scenes were shot in Ouarzazate, Morocco, giving the movie an ancient feel. Malta was used to recreate ancient Rome, especially the Colosseum, for intense gladiator battles. In the UK, some natural landscape scenes were filmed at Devil’s Dyke in Sussex, showing the vast lands beyond Rome.
Ouarzazate, Morocco
Ouarzazate, Morocco, played an important role in Gladiator II filming. Known for its ancient look and desert setting, the area was ideal for scenes showing the Roman Empire’s scale. Set construction began here in April 2023, and some of the first scenes were shot in this historic location.
Malta
Malta was another key filming spot, doubling as ancient Rome. Several scenes showing the Roman Colosseum were filmed here, giving the film a truly Roman feel. Malta was perfect for gladiator scenes, including intense combat sequences. Filming in Malta started again in December 2023 after a temporary break due to a labor dispute.
Production for Gladiator 2 was seen well underway in Malta as the set appeared to be very near completion. The set for Gladiator II in Malta features a partial Colosseum replica and ancient Roman buildings built specifically near the shore at Fort Ricasoli.
This fort, known for its historical architecture and scenic backdrop, serves as the main location for the film’s Roman setting. The amphitheater and additional structures were constructed to mimic ancient Rome, enhancing the authenticity of the scenes.
Notable Scenes in Malta
- Gladiatorial combat scenes were shot in a Colosseum set, with Paul Mescal and others acting in physically demanding scenes.
- A special scene involving a rhinoceros, created with 3D printing and remote control, was filmed here. This took several days to complete due to technical and weather challenges.
United Kingdom – Devil’s Dyke, South Downs, Sussex
The filming unit traveled to South Downs Wye, England, to film most of the battle scenes featured in the film.
In June 2024, some scenes were filmed at Devil’s Dyke in the South Downs of Sussex, UK. This area, with its natural beauty, was perfect for showing the vast lands beyond Rome.
To make your trip to discover Gladiator II filming locations even more interesting, we’ve rounded up some behind-the-scenes finds here:-
When Did the Filming of Gladiator II Take Place?
Filming for Gladiator II started in June 2023 and was planned to cover four months across Morocco, Malta, and the UK. However, production stopped in July 2023 due to a labor dispute in Hollywood. Filming picked up again on December 4, 2023, and ended on January 17, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions-
Q: Where was Gladiator II filmed?
A: Gladiator II was filmed in Ouarzazate, Morocco; Malta; and the UK, specifically at Devil’s Dyke, South Downs in Sussex.
Q: When did Gladiator II premiere?
A: The movie is set to premiere in Australia and New Zealand on November 14, 2024, in the UK on November 15, and in the U.S. on November 22, 2024.
Q: Who stars in Gladiator II?
A: The main cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington, with Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprising their roles from the first Gladiator movie.
Q: When Did Gladiator II Start Filming?
A: Filming started in June 2023, paused in July due to the Hollywood labor dispute, resumed in December 2023, and finished on January 17, 2024.