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The original film Gladiator was nominated for twelve Oscars and won five
Several crew members filming the Gladiator sequel in Morocco were injured in an on-set stunt accident.
The film’s production company, Paramount Pictures, said the injuries were not life-threatening and occurred during filming of a planned stunt sequence.
The crew members are “all in stable condition and continue to be treated,” the statement said.
Earlier this week, the Sun reported that an explosion occurred and six people were taken to hospital.
“It was terrifying – a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path. In the years of filming, I have never seen such a frightening accident,” a source told the newspaper.
“Everyone involved, from the smallest runner to the star, was shaken by it,” they added.
In a statement, a spokesman for Paramount Pictures said, “The security and medical teams on site were able to act quickly, allowing those affected to receive the care they needed immediately.”
They said that “strict health and safety procedures apply to all our productions” and that “all necessary precautions will be taken when we resume production”.
No cast members were injured, according to Variety, but six people were treated for burn injuries and four remain hospitalized.
Sir Ridley Scott, who directed the original 2000 historical drama, returns to direct the second installment, which is slated for release in November 2024.
The title of the sequel, which stars Normal People actors Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielson, has not yet been announced.
The original film won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Russell Crowe, who played Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius alongside Joaquin Phoenix as Emperor Commodus.
Set at the height of the Roman Empire, the film initially portrays Maximus as a war hero before being forced to become a gladiator.
Grossing $457 million (£355 million) at the box office, Gladiator revived the historical drama genre that had fallen out of fashion for decades.