Summary

• Ridley Scott's Gladiator II couldn't film in Rome due to Roland Emmerich and Robert Rodat's TV show Those About to Die taking up filming locations.
• Malta was used as a stand-in for Rome in Gladiator II to showcase the Roman Empire in the sequel due to not being able to use the actual city.
• Although the sequel couldn't use Rome, its other filming locations and impressive cast will more than make up for it.

The reason why Ridley Scott's Gladiator II didn't film in Rome has been revealed, all stemming from a TV show that was filming there at the time. Scott's sequel stars Paul Mescal as an adult version of Lucius Verus, 15 years after the events of the original movie. The Gladiator II is expected to showcase more elements of the Roman Empire, although the filmmakers had to use Malta as a stand-in for Rome.

Now, an interview in Empire Magazine has revealed why Gladiator II couldn't film in Rome, as director Roland Emmerich and writer Robert Rodat were in the process of filming their Ancient Rome show Those About to Die. In the interview, the director and writer explain that they were able to secure filming locations in Rome before Scott was, contextualizing why the film director wasn't able to film there. Check out what Emmerich and Rodat had to say below:

Emmerich: Well, luckily that's coming later. I'm really in awe how he could continue that story - [Maximus] was dead!

Rodat: It's not a competition, but there are limited assets in Rome and it's my understanding that he was disappointed that he wasn't able to shoot there. For that, I apologize!

How Gladiator 2 Can Make Up For Not Filming In Rome

The Movie Is Being Filmed In A Variety Of Locations

As previously mentioned, Malta will be the stand-in for Rome in Scott's movie, meaning Those About to Die's production hasn't fully impacted the historical film. Other filming locations included Ouarzaate, Morocco, as well as extensive shoots in the UK. Because of how many locations were used to film the movie, it's clear that a lack of production in Italy itself hasn't been too impactful for the film's production. However, it does mean famous locations in Rome itself aren't going to be used.

Despite the lack of famous historical locations that align with where the movie is supposed to take place, Scott's sequel is setting the stage for an engaging follow-up. Alongside Mescal, the cast of Gladiator II includes talent such as Denzel Washington (The Equalizer), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things), among returning stars like Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi. Because of the level of talent onscreen, the movie is bound to be a well-crafted experience despite not being filmed in Rome.

Although it's unclear where the story will go without Russell Crowe's Maximus leading, Gladiator II still has plenty of potential that can make it a success. Even without the filming locations that would align with its story, Scott has a vision for the next chapter of this world that transcends the exactness of where it's filmed. While it would have been preferable to see Rome used in the movie, Those About to Die can fill the gap while the movie shines in its own ways.

Gladiator II arrives in theaters on November 22.

Source: Empire Magazine