The highly anticipated trailer for Gladiator II, Paramount's long-awaited sequel, has sparked a wave of excitement, suggesting it could be a blockbuster hit. However, amidst the hype, a section of fans has voiced their dissatisfaction, particularly with its focus on the Roman Empire.
In just a few days, the action-packed trailer has amassed 215 million global cross-platform views, indicating that Ridley Scott may have successfully revived his Oscar-winning epic from 2000. Paul Mescal takes the lead as a grown-up Lucius, joined by Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in a visually stunning spectacle.
Yet, despite the overwhelming views and many ardent fans, the official trailer on YouTube has garnered a peculiar ratio of 133,000 likes to a whopping 279,000 dislikes and counting. This is unusually high for a blockbuster release.
Digging into the comments, it seems there are three primary reasons for the backlash. Firstly, the trailer, spanning over three minutes, is being criticized for revealing too much of the plot, a common annoyance for audiences. Secondly, and most notably, the choice of Kanye West and Jay-Z's "No Church in the Wild" as the trailer's soundtrack has sparked controversy. Some question the inclusion of rap music in a film about the Roman Empire, reminiscent of the original Gladiator's classical and timeless appeal.
Lastly, there are complaints about Washington's role as the cruel power broker Macrinus. While the actor appears to be thoroughly enjoying himself, some have pointed out his distinct New York accent, though it's worth noting that British accents aren't historically accurate for Ancient Rome either.
Unfortunately, the discussions have taken a toxic turn, with racist comments targeting Washington's casting and criticisms of the rap song choice. It's a sad reminder of the toxicity that can sometimes permeate fandoms.
However, there's one comment that stands out among the rest, paraphrasing a Game of Thrones line to humorously observe: "Every time Ridley Scott makes a movie, God flips a coin." After Napoleon, we're eagerly anticipating another terrific film, and Gladiator II might just be it.
