The ‘Gladiator II’ trailer is getting review bombed – here’s why

The recent trailer for Gladiator II has been review bombed by viewers for a number of reasons.

The first look at the sequel to the 2000 epic was unveiled last week, showcasing stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in action. However, the preview has received thousands of dislikes alongside its many likes, and there are a number of major reasons why.

According to comments, one reason for the backlash is the trailer seemingly giving many of the film’s key elements away.

Things start to veer into more problematic territory in regards to comments over the choice of music, notably the use of ‘No Church In The Wild’ by Jay Z and Kanye West, as some questioned the use of a rap song in a film about the Roman Empire. The song itself includes the lyrics: “Tears on the mausoleum floor / Blood stains the Colosseum doors.”

Combined with some asking why Washington uses a New York accent in the film – even while most characters use the historically inaccurate British accent in a film set in Ancient Rome – and the actor’s inclusion altogether, things get quite toxic, with further comments being racist.

Gladiator II will see Ridley Scott return as director, and will focus on a grown-up Lucius (Mescal), the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s character Commodus in the first film.

“Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome,” the synopsis reads. “Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

“With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honour to return the glory of Rome to its people.”

The trailer includes a number of big battle sequences, including Mescal’s character fighting a rhinoceros as well as a sea battle.

Pascal recently opened up about filming the movie’s action sequences, admitting he would “rather be thrown from a building” than fight Mescal again.

Gladiator II is due to release on November 22 globally.

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