'Gladiator 2' sends Ridley Scott, Denzel Washington and Paul Meskal into Oscar race; First reactions call the sequel 'epic' and 'absolute psycho sh-t'

Aren't you entertained by this year's exciting and unpredictable Oscar race? Well, you should be because Ridley Scott's epic and potentially massive blockbuster sequel, “Gladiator II,” has exploded onto the scene after its first screening in front of an audience of AMPAS and SAG voters in Los Angeles.

The long-awaited sequel to Best Picture winner “Gladiator” (2000) is igniting Scott, its three-time Oscar-nominated director, in the running to win his long-sought Academy Award. Additionally, its stars Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are now contestants in their respective acting competitions.

After receiving his first Best Actor Oscar nomination for “Aftersun” (2022), Mescal may find himself back in the category for his lead role in “Gladiator II.” Meanwhile, Washington, who already has two acting Oscars, could be in contention for a third, joining a small list of three-time acting winners including Frances McDormand, Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day-Lewis. Washington will compete in the supporting actor race.

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Most initial reactions from attendees at the first Los Angeles screening have been positive.

Jillian Chilingerian from OffscreenCentral wrote, “Engrave Denzel Washington's Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 'Gladiator 2' in this instance.”

KTLA contributor, Scott Mantz, called the movie “an epic sequel”, adding that it has “great action, amazing visual effects, great performances across the board”.

Freelancer Simon Thompson wrote, “'Gladiator II' serves up the richest feast of epic action set pieces and deliciously ribald treachery.

Matt Brennan of the LA Times said the film contained “absolutely sicko shit” and called it “the 'We're So Back' version of the bloody costume epic”.

“Gladiator II” takes place 16 years after the events of the first film. The story follows Lucius (Mescal) — grandson of former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Maximus (Russell Crowe). Lucius now lives in Numidia with his wife and child. However, when Roman troops led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invade, he is forced into slavery. He must fight as a gladiator under the command of the current young emperor Caracalla and Geta (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger).

Scott's awards campaign is a major focus for Paramount Pictures, which is also pushing the Robbie Williams musical biopic “Better Man” and the newly acquired 1972 Munich Olympics hostage tragedy “September 5” this awards season. Of Scott's three previous Oscar bids — which include “Thelma & Louise” (1991) and “Black Hawk Down” (2001) — “Gladiator” was his closest shot at winning, to double-nominated Steven Soderbergh for “Traffic.” lost” (her other nomination was for “Erin Brockovich”).

While Scott's critical reception has been inconsistent in recent years (eg, “Robin Hood” and “Exodus: Gods and Kings”), “Gladiator II” may be his best effort since “Black Hawk Down.” Even if the sequel initially excels in the technical category, history has shown that visually stunning films like Ang Lee's “Life of Pi” or Alfonso Cuaron's “Gravity” can still bring directors to the Dolby Theater stage. Of course, Denis Villeneuve's stunning “Dune: Part Two” will be angling for the same category. Is there room for both?

Interestingly, Oscar history shows that a director whose film won Best Picture but lost the director category can still return to win with a sequel. Francis Ford Coppola earned it when he lost Best Director for “The Godfather” (1972) but won the category with “The Godfather Part II” (1974), which took home six Oscars that night, including Best Picture. Could the “Gladiator” franchise follow a similar playbook? An adapted screenplay name would be important, but that category is already overflowing with candidates.

The “Gladiator II” actor may also be a favorite of the branch. Washington's funny and sinister portrayal of the villainous Macrinus, a former slave who plots to take over Rome, stands out as one of his most charismatic and exciting performances. Sporting the most jaw-dropping costume fit and a pair of hypnotizing earrings, his work harks back to his second Oscar win as corrupt narcotics officer Alonzo in “Training Day.”

Villain roles have traditionally performed well in the supporting actor category, with past winners such as Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”), Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds”) and Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”). Washington recently came close to a third Oscar with his self-directed role in “Fences” (2016), only to narrowly edge out Casey Affleck for “Manchester by the Sea” after winning the SAG Award. However, with a seemingly thin roster of contenders and no clear front-runner emerging, Washington could be ranked as the new favorite. At the very least, he might be able to get his first BAFTA nomination after more than 50 films and countless snubs.

“Gladiator II” opens in theaters Nov. 22 from Paramount