IT is one of the great action movies and now blockbuster director Ridley Scott is returning to Roman epic Gladiator with a sequel.
Rumours of a follow-up to the historical drama have swirled for five years, after the filmmaker hinted at a potential script which would allow him to revive the world brought to the screen by Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
And now, 23 years after the original, the production team have begun casting for the major roles in a new movie. Filming is understood to be scheduled for May.
Locations have been chosen in the Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, which is building a reputation as a favourite site for movie makers due to its dramatic landscapes.
Details of a plot remain tightly under wraps after an early idea, written by rock star Nick Cave, which saw Crowe’s Maximus return from the dead via a “portal” was scrapped.
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It is thought youngster Lucius Verus, the son of Roman Empress Lucilla, may provide the link to the original story.
It is hoped Russell’s hero will make an appearance in flashback scenes — as long as he signs up for a role.
Maximus died at the end of the movie and was seen being reunited with his murdered wife and son in the afterlife.
Massive hit
A source said: “This has been building since 2018 and for a long time it looked like it may never see the light of day.
“But suddenly late last year the production team really sprung into life after settling on a new script which seemed to inspire them.
“A few months later everything was up and running and now it’s well underway.
“They should be filming by May, which means there’s every chance the movie will be ready some time in 2024.
“Either way, this would be a huge box office draw.
“It’s one of the biggest action films of its era and was a massive hit.
“People have been asking Ridley about a follow-up for years, so there’s clearly a massive appetite for it.”
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The first film raked in an impressive £460million at the box office.
It also featured veteran stars Derek Jacobi and Oliver Reed, in what would be his final role.
It also landed critical acclaim, with five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, as well as Bafta and Golden Globe success.
Can’t wait, but it will be a tough act to follow.
Emily socks it to 'em
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI covered her legs up in this outfit while socking it to blokes she has dated.
The model wore a matching miniskirt and cropped jacket while out in New York after making a stir with comments on her podcast, High Low with EmRata.
She recently split from comedian Pete Davidson after filing for divorce from Sebastian Bear-McClard in September, but said many guys have tried to tear her down for being a strong woman.
Emily explained: “They’re like, ‘You’re special. You’ve done it.’
“Then [they] slowly get emasculated, and they don’t know what to do with those feelings, and they resent you, and then they start to tear you down. And then you’re just back to square one.”
She said the situation is “f***** up and unfair” and can “understand dating women” instead.
Emily continued: “There might be competition… but it doesn’t feel like somebody’s taking something away from someone else.
“Weirdly with heteronormative relationships, I feel like that happens.
“The strength and the power is associated with the masculine, and once the woman has that, the man doesn’t know what else he has.
“But I’m like, ‘How about you just be better at expressing your emotions and being there emotionally? That would be great.’”
Dermot backs Shawn gig axe
DERMOT KENNEDY has opened up about his bromance with Canadian superstar Shawn Mendes.
The Irish crooner, who bagged his second No1 album with Sonder last year, was opening for the Stitches singer on the North American leg of his world tour last summer.
However, Shawn pulled the plug on the trek after struggling with his mental health.
Rallying behind his pal, Dermot said: “It was amazing to spend some time with Shawn and see an artist of that size perform to huge audiences and do what they do best.
“We just talked about music. It is a very demanding industry to be a part of.
“There can be a lot of pressure on an artist. Especially the bigger they get. I completely respect his decision to cancel the tour for his mental health.
“He has to do what is right for him. It is very important to look after yourself and take the time you need. He’ll be back stronger.”
In an open letter to fans at the time, Shawn said: “I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away.”
It sounds like the break was much-needed, but I hope it’s not too long before Shawn makes a return to the stage.
Miley high club
Last night she announced her eighth record Endless Summer Vacation will be out on March 10, with Kylie Minogue cryptically commenting on the Instagram announcement with a tongue-sticking-out emoji.
Rumours have swirled about a possible collaboration for years and in 2020, Kylie named Miley and Dua Lipa as two people she would love to collaborate with.
The latter was achieved when Dua joined her on a remix of the song Real Groove, so now her other wish could come true.
The first single from Miley’s album is called Flowers and will be out next Friday (13th).
She’s still got it.
Justin spotted
JUSTIN BIEBER looked starstruck on a rainy walk in Los Angeles, but only because his face was covered in these star-shaped stickers.
The Peaches singer had the black patches on his face to cover up spots.
But he drew less attention to himself with the rest of his outfit, wearing a dark coat and grey beanie hat.
Justin has had some time out of the spotlight recently, but all these stickers should help turn him into a superstar once again.
Radio on for Sig 'n' MNEK
SIGALA has returned with the first dance banger of the year.
The DJ, whose real name is Bruce Fielder, has teamed up with MNEK on a single called Radio which is out today.
Explaining how it’s been a long time coming, MNEK said: “Bruce and I wrote this song a few years ago.
“It was such a fun and easy session and it’s really cool how he evolved the song into the record you’re hearing today.”
Ageing Stormzy goes off the grid
STORMZY has deleted his accounts on social media again, just a couple of months after returning to Instagram and Twitter.
The rapper’s pages have disappeared once again, having first axed the accounts in early 2020.
He returned in October and had shared a string of posts and done several Instagram Live broadcasts, but he left following the release of his third album This Is What I Mean.
Talking earlier this year about the impact of deleting his accounts originally, he said: “It was a big turning point for me in understanding that there is an ego in man I need to kill because look how blessed we are.”
Then in November, he said he felt “too old” for it.
He explained: “I used to do this all the time but I’m a bit old now. My hairline is going way back and my knees aren’t kneeing.
“I’m getting old. I just want to walk my dogs and do my music and see my family, I swear to you. I’m too old for the old TikTok challenges, the dances. I can’t.”
His album went to No1 in its first week but by last Friday, it had dropped down to No30.
Clearly he isn’t a fan of posting away on social media all the time, but a few more snaps might just help remind his fans that he exists.
After her Webb address
I ALWAYS thought One Direction had the most crazed fans of all time.
But now British sensation Mimi Webb’s followers appear to be up there with the most extreme of them, after making wild offers to anyone that can help them meet their idol.
The horrified Ghost of You singer told me one supporter even propositioned one of her crew, but he swiftly turned them down.
Mimi said: “A fan offered to do sexual favours on my sound guy if he could sort out a meet with me. It was all a bit weird and crazy. Obviously he said no.”
In March Mimi will release her debut album Amelia which has already given her two top ten hits with Good Without and House On Fire.
She told me: “I want to have a hit album.
“The vision board is smashing the album and getting a No1.
“I really believe I can do it.
“From there I want to tour to as many people as I can, do festivals and just continue to create great music.”
JACK BLACK has hinted there could be a sequel to his 2003 movie comedy School Of Rock.
The actor, who played rocker and fake teacher Dewey Finn said there are talks of a follow-up as well as a new movie from his band Tenacious D following 2006’s The Pick Of Destiny.
Asked about stories surrounding the two projects, Jack told SiriusXM: “Yup. Both of them. Breaking news. We’re thinking about doing both of those.”
