‘Barbenheimer’ was a big hit last summer when ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ both came out on the same day and did really well in theaters. Paul Mescal is hopeful that ‘Gladiator II’ and ‘Wicked’ will do the same this November.
Mescal told Entertainment Tonight that the buzz around these two movies can boost the box office. He even joked about the nickname for the double release, saying:
“‘Wickdiator’ doesn’t really roll off the tongue, does it? I think my preference would probably be ‘Glicked’ if it has a similar effect to what it did for ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer.’ It would be amazing ’cause I think the films couldn’t be more polar opposites, and it worked in that context previously. So, fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend.”
‘Gladiator II’ will open internationally on November 15 and in the U.S. on November 22. ‘Wicked: Part One’ will also open in the U.S. on November 22.
Mescal Is Excited About The Film
He says it’s because ‘Gladiator II’ respects the original movie but also brings a new story. He said:
“I think the main thing that I’m excited about is the homage that it pays to the first one but also the kind of new direction that the film takes. I think it’s well-balanced in that regard in terms of the physical action of the film and the balance of the kind of political aspects of the film as well.”
‘Gladiator II’ is an action-packed drama set in Ancient Rome. It follows the story of Lucius (Paul Mescal), who is a former heir to the throne. Lucius is estranged from his mother Lucilla and wants to prove his worth as a gladiator like his hero, Maximus Decimus Meridius. The movie also stars Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Fred Hechinger, and Connie Nielsen.
‘Wicked: Part One’ is a musical fantasy based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.’ It tells the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande(. Their friendship turns into a rivalry after they meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). ‘Wicked’ will be released in two parts.
