If you like peplums and you were born at least more than two decades ago, you have most certainly already seen the first Gladiator. Released in 2000 and directed by Ridley Scottthe film with Russell Crowe had marked an entire generation to the point of winning no less than 5 Oscars for Best Film, Best Costumes, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Mixing. Almost 25 years later, Ridley Scott returns with the sequel to his soberly titled film Gladiator II. But will it have the same fate as the first? Its first weekend in American theaters makes us doubt it.
Gladiator 2 is surpassed by Wicked at the American box office!
While Gladiator II has been available in French theaters since November 13, our American friends had to wait a while before being able to enjoy it in turn. Indeed, in the United States, Gladiator II was only released on November 22, last Friday. Today, the film has just spent its first weekend on display across the Atlantic.an extremely important moment for the life of a Hollywood film. And while he scored very well in France, Ridley Scott's film was dominated by a musical: the famous Wicked.
Indeed, according to figures from Deadline and Variety, Gladiator II reportedly only grossed $55.5 million in its first weekend, compared to no less than $114 million for Wicked.. A result that goes from even to double, and which becomes even more dizzying when we compare the respective budgets of the two films. Indeed, Gladiator 2 cost 250 million dollars compared to only 150 million for Wicked. With numbers like that, Wicked signs third best domestic startup of the year behind Deadpool & Wolverine ($211 million) and Vice-Versa 2 ($154 million). Best of all, Jon M. Chu's film instantly becomes the biggest start in history for a musical.
A similar future to be expected in France?
If the French public was able to enjoy Gladiator II 10 days before the Americans, the exact opposite will happen for Wicked. Indeed, the film with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo should arrive in French theaters on Wednesday December 5certainly to leave some room for Moana 2. But can we really expect success similar to that of the United States for the film in France? Nothing is less certain.
Firstly, it must be remembered that musicals are having a hard time getting traction in France (at least in recent years, let's remember that we have a great history of musicals behind us). Secondly, Wicked is an adaptation of a musical which has never done as well as its competitors on French territory (Les Miserables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, not to mention all the French musicals like 1789, Romeo and Juliet, etc.). This lack of interest can certainly be explained by the fact that the story is based on The Wizard of Oza classic of American literature which did not have the same success in France. However, the first feedback has so far been more than excellent, and the film's reputation could well convince the French to give it a chance. Response in a little over ten days, the December 5.
