Production on Gladiator 2 was apparently well underway in Malta, as the set appeared to be nearing completion on Thursday.
Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington star in the film, which serves as a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial success.
Ancient Roman buildings and an amphitheater were built near the shores of Fort Ricasoli to bring the world to life for the highly anticipated blockbuster.
The amphitheater was laid out in a semicircle, with seating in the stands and huge statues on the walls.
Other ancient buildings boasted impressive columns as the set took over the fort in preparation for the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel.
Production on Gladiator 2 was apparently well underway in Malta, as the set appeared to be nearing completion on Thursday
Paul Mescal (pictured) and Denzel Washington star in the film, which serves as a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial success
Ancient Roman buildings and an amphitheater were built near the shores of Fort Ricasoli to bring the world to life for the highly anticipated blockbuster
Scaffolding could be seen around the buildings as finishing touches were put on the impressive sets for the epic.
Filming descended into chaos after crew members were reportedly injured in an explosion.
The highly anticipated sequel, which comes more than 20 years after the original, was filmed in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara.
Few details are known about the incident, but it appears to be a failed special effects shot that caused the dangerous explosion.
A source on set shared their hope that the injured crew members would make a full recovery, although their condition was unclear.
“It was terrifying – a huge fireball flew up and caught several crew members in its path,” the source recalled. “In my years of filming, I have never seen such a scary accident.”
The explosion is reportedly under investigation, and witnesses to the explosion have reportedly speculated that it may have been caused by a burst gas pipe on set.
“Six production staff had to be taken to hospital for treatment,” they said, and it appears that none of the film’s actors were injured in the inferno.
The amphitheater was laid out in a semicircle, with seating in the stands and huge statues on the walls
An aerial shot showed off the picturesque location in Malta as many of the sets could be seen surrounding the fort
Other ancient buildings boasted impressive columns as the set took over the fort in preparation for the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel
One building had a very impressive colonnaded entrance and stairs leading up to it, and vehicles could be seen putting the finishing touches to the building
As the sets were being built, vehicles could be seen lining up in front of the old buildings
Paul Mescal will direct the new film as Lucius, the nephew of Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) and secret son of Crowe’s character Maximus
He was played as a child in the first film by Spencer Treat Clark, but the Irish actor will take on the role
While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe will not be seen as his character died at the end of the original film
“Hopefully everyone is okay, but it was a serious accident,” the source added.
“Everyone involved, from the smallest runner to the star, is devastated by this.”
The original historical epic grossed five times its budget and helped cement the fame of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
“Gladiator” won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Russell will not be seen as his character died at the end of the original film.
Paul Mescal will direct the new film as Lucius, the nephew of Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) and secret son of Crowe’s character Maximus, who was rescued by his father in the original film.
He was played as a child in the first film by Spencer Treat Clark, but the Irish actor will take on the role.
In one building there was a large staircase that led to a huge colonnaded entrance into a magnificent building
Patterned floors could be seen in the entrance of a building that was transformed into the ancient world
Scaffolding could be seen around the buildings as finishing touches were put on the impressive sets for the epic
The set was surrounded by stunning scenery as the actors will be filming scenes in Malta
It came after filming descended into chaos after crew members were reportedly injured in an explosion (pictured: the filming location in Malta).
The highly anticipated sequels were filmed in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara desert (pictured: the set in Malta).
The original Gladiator grossed five times its budget and helped cement the fame of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix (Russell Crowe in Gladiator, 2000).
Connie Neilsen will reprise her role as Lucilla, his mother, while Derek Jacobi will also return as a Roman senator and Djimon Hounsou will once again play a former gladiator and friend of Maximus.
Denzel Washington has joined the cast in a major role, but his character has not yet been revealed.
Pedro Pascal and Matt Lucas are among the new cast members, and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn will play Emperor Caracalla, often portrayed as a tyrant in the history of the era.
Gladiator 2 is expected to hit theaters in late 2024.