This November 15th it hits theaters Gladiator II. 25 years after the grand premiere of the first part, the director Ridley Scott has recovered this successful story of Romans with Paul MescalDenzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, the golden boys of Hollywood, as great protagonists. Although the film is set in ancient Rome, where they fought sword in hand in the Colosseum to survive, the real settings in which the filming was done are scattered throughout different parts of the international geography. Pack your bags because we are embarking on a mythical journey.
Morocco and Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert
The first stop on this adventure is the Moroccan city of Ouarzazate. Known as ‘The gateway to the Moroccan desert’, This town is a destination that is increasingly in demand by tourists. At 1600 meters above sea level, the municipality is surrounded by mountain ranges and is ideal for delving into Moroccan culture. Among its charms it is worth highlighting Ait Benhaddou, a fortified town built in adobe (which appears in both the first film of Gladiator as in Game of Thrones); its Central Market, with articles and crafts of all kinds; the Taourirt, an 18th century adobe fortress; and the Fint oasis, a natural haven of palm trees in the middle of the arid desert.
Furthermore, Ouarzazate could be considered the ‘Hollywood of Morocco’since the city is home to numerous sets filming. The most popular are the Atlas studiesin which other mythical titles of the seventh art have been created such as Asterix and Cleopatra, The Ten Commandments and The Jewel of the Nile. In the case of Gladiator II They have done magic by transforming its walls into the ancient Roman provinces of Numidia and Mauritania.
Malta, the best film set
The next stop on this trip is Malta. Here we find three key points: The Ricasoli Fort of Kalkaraa 13th century fortification created by the Order of Saint John; Valletta Ditcha defensive moat dating from the 16th century and which served to protect the country’s capital from attacks and which is currently a promenade area with large gardens; and the Great Port of Vallettaone of the main emblems of the country with more than 6,000 years of history and a dream viewpoint.
In Gladiator II These places become the Senate, with its political networks full of ambition and revenge; the imperial court; a very well-made replica of the Colosseum; and the port is used for the reenactment of naval battles. This is not the first time that Malta has been the setting for a movie because, in addition to Gladiator and Gladiator IIhas served as the backdrop for other international hits such as Troy, World War Z, The midnight express, Jurassic World: Dominion; Games of Thrones; Napoleon; and Mission Impossible 8which will hit movie theaters next 2025.
He sussex countyin the UK
Great battles were fought in the lands of the Latium region. However, in Gladiator II These fights are not near the Italian capital, but in the valley of Devil’s Dykein the county of Sussex (England). Just over eight kilometers from Brighton, this great valley, the longest, deepest and widest in the United Kingdom, is a small haven of peace full of all kinds of flowers, plants, colorful insects and ponies that feed in its pastures.
Its name Devil’s Dake (which in Spanish could be translated as the devil’s dam) is due to an ancient urban legend that claims that the devil made the hollow so that the parishioners would drown. Be that as it may, this place attracts more and more tourists, since it offers numerous hiking and cycling routes (adapted to all ages and physical abilities) that end in hills with views of the countryside; is pet friendly, dogs are welcome as long as they are kept under control; And, in addition, there is a pub where you can recharge your batteries after the walk.
This is the plot of Gladiator II
Gladiator It is one of those films that have gone down in cinema history, as demonstrated by its five Oscar awards – one of them in the best film category – its four Golden Globes and two Bafta awards. In this sequel we will learn the story of Lucius (Paul Pescal) who after being persecuted by the emperors Geta and Caracalla, who want to capture him and destroy his family, must fight as a gladiator under the orders of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave with thirst for revenge towards these emperors.