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It’s rather strange to think thatGladiatorcame out over two decades ago. Ridley Scott’s Roman romp not only gave us one of the most iconic lines in movie history—“Are you not entertained?”—but also transformed Russell Crowe from someone who was‘around’to a full-blown superstar. Maximus, the betrayed Roman general turned gladiator, piqued many, and the movie’s mix of grand but sometimes outrageous battles, intricate politics, and revenge made it an instant classic.
Back in 2000, whenGladiatorpremiered, Hollywood’s spending habits were relatively conservative compared to today. With a budget of around $103 million, the originalGladiatorwas considered a big deal—but nothing close to what the sequel is packing in 2024.
But where is all this money going? And how does the modern cast’s payday compare to the salaries back in Crowe’s gladiator days? Let’s break it down and see how Hollywood has evolved in the two decades since Crowe’s Maximus took to the arena.
Modest budgets, monumental success
That first Gladiator movie went on to gross over $460 million worldwide with critics and fans alike talking about its grand visuals, compelling performances, andRidley Scott– back when he was consistently good. And it didn’t stop at the box office—Gladiatorscooped five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. It was a win across the board.
Now, in 2024,Gladiator IIis taking things to a whole new level. This time, we’ve got it bigger and possibly better – a staggering $300 million (and more) budget, an array of up-and-coming and top-tier actors, and some of the most elaborate production details we’ve seen in years.
Leading this ambitious charge against the storm isPaul Mescal, the new face of Roman bravery, joined by heavyweights like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Clearly, Ridley Scott and Paramount are pulling out all the stops to make sure this sequel is as memorable—and hopefully as profitable—as the original.
Early Reviews of Gladiator 2 Prove Ridley Scott Has Broken the Sequel Curse, Entering Tom Cruise’s Arena
WhenGladiatorwas filmed in the late ’90s,Russell Crowewas still building his reputation. He was already known fromL.A. ConfidentialandThe Insider, but his payday forGladiatorwas relatively modest by today’s standards. Crowe took home $5 million for his role as Maximus. While that was substantial at the time, it doesn’t come close to what stars of his caliber can demand in today’s movie market.
Joaquin Phoenix, who played a very deeply unsettling Emperor Commodus, received a rumored paycheck of about $4.5 million. Other supporting actors, like Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, earned even less, which was typical for supporting roles back then. It’s fair to say that much of the film’s $103 million budget was spent on its impressive set designs, battle scenes, and detailed costumes rather than star salaries.
Yet, it seemed to have paid off in every way possible. Not only didGladiatorbring in a global box office haul of $460 million (viaBox Office Mojo), but it also proved that audiences had an appetite for historical dramas with a heavy dose of drama.
Gladiator II: A blockbuster budget for 2024’s big bet
Leapfrogging to today,Gladiator IIhas gone all out. With a budget of over $300 million [via THR], the sequel has tripled its spending in comparison to the original, and for good reason. Hollywood has changed a lot since 2000—actors’ salaries are peaking, visual effects demand massive teams, and fans expect spectacle on a whole new level.
It’s a world where the Marvel Cinematic Universe has set new standards for blockbuster budgets, and the success ofTop Gun: MaverickandAvatar: The Way of Waterhave shown that audiences will flock to theaters for sequels that deliver.
Leading the new cast is Paul Mescal, taking on the role of Lucius (the young boy from the original film, now grown and following in Maximus’s footsteps). Mescal’s casting marks a big moment in his career. Though he’s known for his Emmy-nominated role inNormal Peopleand his Oscar nomination forAftersun, this will be his first major Hollywood blockbuster, and it’s a big leap.
Mescal was reportedly paid $2 million for his role inGladiator II—a smaller sum compared to Crowe’s payday for the original, but a great launchpad for what could be a breakthrough role. Industry Insiders sound confident that if the movie is a hit, Mescal will soon be able to command much higher fees.
Denzel Washington’s star power and his paycheck
While Paul Mescal’s salary might seem modest, Denzel Washington’s is anything but. The two-time Oscar winnerreportedly earned$20 million for his role inGladiator II. That’s almost as much as the originalGladiator’s entire cast budget. Denzel’s paycheck speaks to the longstanding influence and respect he has built in Hollywood—he’s an actor who brings gravitas and pulls audiences to theaters based on his name alone.
For Washington though,Gladiator IIis an exciting departure from his recent work. His persona has been built on roles inTraining Day,The Equalizer, andFences. Just by being there, Washington adds weight to the cast that’s essential for a film of this scale. In many ways, Washington’s presence is part of the movie’s draw, and his fee reflects his reputation as one of the industry’s most bankable stars.
“Brick Wall Paul” and his transformation and Pedro Pascal’s “Man of the Moment”
Mescal’s commitment to preparing for the role has been the talk of the set. Co-star Pedro Pascal even nicknamed him“Brick Wall Paul”due to his intense physical training. Mescal explained that he wanted to bulk up but not to theextent of looking“like an underwear model.”Ridley Scott has also praised Mescal’s performance, saying this may be his“biggest”project yet. Given his career, that’s a significant statement.
Joining Washington and Mescal isPedro Pascal, whose fee remains undisclosed but is rumored to be around $5 Million. Pascal’s current popularity is undeniable—his roles inThe MandalorianandThe Last of Ushave thrown him to A-list status, making him one of the most sought-after actors of the moment. (He is no longer the man who got his skull smashed inGame of Thrones) Though we don’t know exactly how much he’s making forGladiator II, it’s safe to say that it’s a substantial sum.
A big budget that shows on screen
Gladiator II’s massive budget isn’t just going to actors’ salaries. Ridley Scott seems ever-so-determined in his dedication to practical effects, and this sequel is no exception.According toVariety’s executive editor Steven Gaydos,“[In Gladiator II,] you can see the money on screen.”The film includes everything from intricate, hand-built sets in Malta to rather elaborate costumes and a massive, life-sized rhino model that took a team of experts to construct.
One of the most ambitious scenes involves a flooded Colosseum. Wouldn’t that be quite something? Scott’s team also recreated ancient Roman ships and staged a naval battle, going all out to ensure every detail was as close to his vision as possible.
Denzel Washington “Hit vs Flop” Ratio: Is Gladiator 2 Going To Be His Highest-Grossing Film Ever?
Paramount is betting that audiences will come out for the star-studded cast and high production values ofGladiator II. Following the success of recent blockbusters likeTop Gun: Maverick, studios are willing to invest heavily in sequels that tap into nostalgia and build on established fan bases. As Orlando Parfitt ofScreen Internationalexplained,
Proving you can earn studios money is how you get big salaries. It’s a brilliant chance for [Mescal] to establish himself as a major A-lister
If the movie performs well, Paramount will have succeeded in reviving a beloved franchise while establishing Mescal as Hollywood’s next big star.Gladiator IIis projected to bring in around $750 million globally – the trailer alone generated over 177 million views within 48 hours, which bodes well for its box office prospects. If the film resonates with fans, there’s no doubt it will make back its budget—and then some.
It needs to be mentioned that the big names, high paychecks, and ambitious set pieces inGladiator IIreflect a wider trend in Hollywood today. Studios are investing more than ever to make sure audiences are wowed, and they’re banking on big names to do it.
“Gladiator IIwill be a serious, legitimate contender in all major awards categories,” predicts Gaydos, who sees Ridley Scott as someone who is long overdue that golden recognition. So much so – he compares Scott’s position to Martin Scorsese’s long-awaited Best Director win forThe Departedin 2007, saying,“Now it’s time for Ridley. He’s never won, yet is clearly one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema.”
Gladiator IIhits theaters on November 22.
Jayant Chhabra
Articles Published :123
Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
