'Gladiator 2' Trailer Gets Negative Reviews For Embarrassing Reasons

Paramount's action-packed film trailer Gladiator II has racked up 215 million global multi-platform views in just a few days and suggests that Ridley Scott may just have nailed the long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning 2000 epic. The new film is led by Paul Mescal as a grown-up Lucius and also stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in what promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

But some fans say they're not entertained. While Paramount's official trailer on YouTube (watch it below) is one of the studio's most-watched in a 24-hour period, and many fans have been extremely enthusiastic, it's also garnered 133,000 likes to 279,000 dislikes, and that number is still rising. That's highly unusual for a major release.

Looking through the comments on the video and on X (not recommended), there seem to be three reasons for this negative reaction – and two are specific to how the trailer was designed and don't seem to reflect general feelings about the film.

First of all, the trailer, which is over three minutes long, is critical for apparently revealing too much. Audiences tend not to like that, which is understandable. (Paramount's official trailer for last year's film Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part 1 In the same way, they revealed all the major elements of the decor.)

The second reason – and it is from afar The most commonly cited is that the trailer uses “No Church in the Wild” by Kanye West and Jay-Z. Some people wonder, “Why have rap music in a movie about the Roman Empire?” Granted, some of the original trailer GladiatorThe appeal of 's was that it was resolutely classic – a throwback to sandal-and-toga epics like Well How And Spartacus. There was also a much-loved soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, whose anthem “The Battle” is one of the best action anthems ever written.

Of course, it's hard to imagine such contemporary music being used in the film's ancient Roman sequences; this is just a trailer, so maybe the critics should calm down. Plus, “No Church in the Wild” includes the lyric “blood stains the gates of the Colosseum,” so there's that. But the musical protest starts to sound like a dog whistle by the time you get to the next bit.

Third reason for the negative reaction: some complain about Washington's role in the film. The Oscar-winning actor plays Macrinus, who is portrayed as a cruel man of power who keeps a stable of gladiators. The actor looks like he's having a blast. But some complain that Washington has kept his New York accent. Of course, Washington's voice is so iconic that it would be odd for him to suddenly adopt a British accent. Plus, British accents don't make sense for ancient Rome; they've simply been traditionally used in Hollywood films about the period and tend to sound appropriate (the British Empire being just as imperialistic and all).

And here's where it gets ugly (as you might expect). Some of the comments ridiculing Washington's idea in the film are racist. And when you combine that with people complaining about a rap song, it looks like another oneunfortunately all too familiar, toxic fandom wave. (For those wondering, and this is not important, but there were black people in ancient Rome – including in positions of power; like the famous Roman officer Lucius Quietus.)

Also, anyone who is upset about Washington walking around ancient Rome is going to have to continue to be upset next year. Washington is also on the bill Training day Director Antoine Fuqua's upcoming, as-yet-untitled Netflix feature about Roman-era commander Hannibal, written by the original Gladiator scribe John Logan.

One more thing about the Gladiator Music: Zimmer opted not to return for the sequel, and Harry Gregson-Williams composed the film's music instead. “It's really quite simple. I made this world. And I think I did it well,” Zimmer explained to Curzon about not coming back. “And all I would do is prepare myself to try to repeat myself, which I don't want to do, or to get slaughtered by critics who say you didn't do as well as you did the first time. We have a gladiatorial contest in Dune: Part Twoisn't it? We have a gladiator fight in Gladiator Obviously, but they couldn't be more different!” (This is from the man who scored four points) Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but OK.)

My personal favorite with the highest votes Gladiator II The trailer commentary has nothing to do with any of this, but rather paraphrases a Game Of Thrones line to emphasize: “Every time Ridley Scott makes a movie, God flips a coin.” After Napoleonwe are certainly entitled to something great, and Gladiator II This could well be it.

Here is the Gladiator II trailer:

Here is the original: