Last year, the world wondered how often men really think about the Roman Empire, but in 2024, doubters of all genders will be converted. This year, two major productions that take you into the ancient streets and amphitheaters of Ancient Rome.
On the one hand, there is the series Those About To Die by director and producer Roland Emmerich. The first season has been in the top 10 most-watched series on Amazon for weeks. On the other hand, the sequel Gladiator 2, which Ridley Scott is directing again 24 years after the original, is due out in the fall. Series and movies are not usually in direct competition – unless it’s about securing filming locations. And this is exactly where the two gladiator stories got in each other’s way.
The Amazon series has snatched the filming location from Gladiator 2
The story goes something like this: Ridley Scott wanted to release Gladiator 2 in the traditional Cinecittà Studios in Rome Ben Hur’s famous chariot race was filmed on the 400,000 square meter site, and Elizabeth Taylor’s mammoth production Cleopatra also brought ancient Rome back to life here. Ridley Scott recently filmed House of Gucci at the Cinecittà Studios. However, someone beat him to it with Gladiator 2.
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Anthony Hopkins in Those About To Die
Robert Rodat revealed this in an interview with Empire (via FILMSTARTS). According to the executive producer of Those About to Die, Ridley Scott wanted to shoot parts of Gladiator 2 in Cinecittà Studios, but couldn’t because they were already occupied by the Amazon series. Rodat explained:
It is not a competition, but the opportunities in Rome are limited and as far as I know, was [Ridley Scott] disappointed that he couldn’t film there. I would like to apologize for that!
Instead, Scott moved the production to Malta. What the British directing legend has to say about this is not known. But he has plenty of experience with Malta. He not only shot Napoleon here, but also several scenes from the original Gladiator, which are set in ancient Rome.
More about the Roman Empire:
Those About To Die takes place about 100 years before Gladiator 2
At least in terms of the plot, the two historical productions are unlikely to interfere with each other. Those About To Die begins around the year 79 AD, when the sons of Emperor Vespasian (Anthony Hopkins) are fighting over the succession. Parallel to this, storylines are woven from the various levels of Roman society, including the gladiators in the Circus Maximus.
Gladiator 1, on the other hand, was set in 180 AD and part 2 takes place at least 15 years after these events. This time the focus is on the former heir to the throne, Lucius, who has turned his back on the empire. After an attack, however, he is forced into gladiator service.
All episodes of the first season of Those About To Die are available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription. Until Gladiator 2 in cinemas It will still take a while. It will be released on November 14th. Then you can see for yourself which filming locations provide a more believable antiquity: Malta or the Cinecittà Studios.