$200 million dollar budgets are usually reserved for Marvel or DC blockbusters. $300 million dollar budgets are typically reserved for “Avengers”-level movies. But Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator 2” sequel apparently has a budget that has ballooned up to $310 million, according to a new report in The Hollywood Reporter.
Initially budgeted at $165 million, Paramount insiders insist to THR the net cost of the 49-day shoot was under $250 million. The original “Gladiator” budget was $103 million in 2000; adjusted for inflation, that would be $188 million today.
One source told the trade about the production. “It’s a runaway. It’s not being managed.”
The strikes apparently account for some of that money; the production shutdowns starting in July reportedly cost $600,000 a week, or a total of about $10 million, until Scott resumed shooting in December. THR alleges that Scott “kept cameras rolling during the work stoppages, shooting extras at crowd scenes in Malta, where he built a Coliseum set.”
“Gladiator 2” has been plagued with issues since it began. A stunt accident in July sent four crewmembers to the hospital with non-life-threatening burn injuries, and the same month, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleged that the production of “Gladiator 2” engaged in the mistreatment of animals during its shoot.
The epic historical action drama stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi.
The drama stars Mescal (“All Of Us Strangers,” “Afterlife”) as Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) in the original film, who now is a grown man as the story takes place years after the first film ended. Lucius also was the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius, who murdered his father and seized the throne. Maximus saved Lucius and his mother while avenging his own family, leaving a strong impression on the young Lucius.
“Gladiator 2” is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 22, 2024. If the budget for this one is accurate, it will have to be a massive hit to break even.