The highly anticipated follow-up to Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic, Gladiator 2, is currently embroiled in controversy after facing accusations from the animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The organization alleges that the production of Gladiator 2 engaged in the mistreatment of animals during its shoot.
PETA’s concerns came to light through a series of letters directed at the film’s team, including Ridley Scott and its leading man, Pedro Pascal. These letters stemmed from reports received by PETA from whistleblowers on the Malta-based set of the film.
The initial correspondence to Scott, dated June 30, was a plea to reconsider the use of wild animals, particularly primates, in the production. PETA elaborated on the risks associated with live primates on film sets, pointing to abusive training procedures, the potential for self-harm by the animals, and developmental concerns.
By July 14, another letter was dispatched to Scott after unsettling reports emerged about a horse on the set suffering, allegedly from the intense Maltese heat. Reportedly, the horse’s leg had buckled. PETA’s communication was explicit in its concerns, highlighting the unfortunate history of the entertainment industry with on-set horse-related incidents, some even culminating in deaths.
Pedro Pascal, the celebrated actor known for his roles in The Last of Us and other notable productions, was also approached by PETA. His letter from the organization echoed the sentiments shared with Scott and was a call for unity against the use of real animals in film productions. Yet, despite these serious allegations and appeals, there hasn’t been a public response from either Scott or Pascal addressing PETA’s concerns as per LA Times.
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Gladiator 2 Balances Authentic Sets with Modern Challenges
Universal Pictures
Interestingly, Gladiator 2’s production approach has been a topic of admiration in the past, particularly from Russell Crowe, the star of the original film. Crowe lauded Scott’s commitment to using practical sets over computer-generated graphics in an attempt to foster a genuine historical atmosphere.
Recent on-set pictures support this sentiment, displaying a full-scale Colosseum and authentically recreated structures of ancient Rome. However, this fidelity to authenticity has been met with challenges. A stunt sequence went awry that caused injuries to multiple crew members, only a month after production commenced.
Russell Crowe will not be reprising his epic role from the first film, but familiar faces like Djimon Hounsou and Connie Nielsen will be back. The film also touts new additions like Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things. At its core, the narrative follows Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, a character deeply influenced by the heroic feats of Crowe’s Maximus during his younger years.
The journey to Gladiator 2’s production wasn’t smooth. Paramount Pictures took the reins for the sequel’s production in 2018, succeeding Dreamworks Pictures, the initial rights holder for the franchise. Ridley Scott, already recognized for his directorial prowess with an Oscar nomination for the original, returns to steer this sequel, with David Scarpa taking on the screenplay responsibilities.
While Gladiator 2 promises a return to the epic world of ancient Rome, it currently stands at the crossroads of artistry and ethics, with PETA’s allegations looming large. The film industry and fans alike will undoubtedly be observing closely how the team navigates these challenges in the days ahead.
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