“Gladiator II” by Ridley Scott at the cinema: behind the scenes and indiscretions of filming in Morocco

It is Ridley Scott himself who affirms it: “Gladiator II”, filmed in Morocco, is the best opus of his entire career. With 50 years of experience, the author of Kingdom of Heaven declared in an interview with the British magazine Empire: «It’s my best film, and yet I’ve made good ones…»

Nearly 24 years after the first film, the sequel to “Gladiator” was released in theaters yesterday, November 13. This international release includes Morocco, where the majority of the battle scenes and most of the sets were filmed. Unable to attend the London premiere with Ridley Scott and the entire cast, Dunes Films, the executive producer represented by Ahmed Abounaoum (aka Jimmy) organized a screening for Moroccan media to present and promote the local team who worked on this film.

An ambitious shoot in the majestic settings of Morocco

Filming, lasting ten days, took place at the end of May 2023 in various emblematic locations: the CLA and Atlas studios, as well as the landscapes around Ouarzazate, notably in Aït Benhaddou, in the Ghassat region, and in the oases of Fint. “On site, we were not a team, but a real army. This is the largest production ever made in Morocco», says Ahmed Abounaoum in an interview with Le360.

For “Gladiator II”, also filmed in Malta, a colossal budget of 300 million dollars was allocated, including 40 million spent in Morocco. “The country has benefited greatly from it. We have mobilized many local companies: construction, security, catering, etc.», adds Ahmed Abounaoum.

Six months of preparation and thousands of meals served

Preparation lasted six months, during which three catering companies provided daily meals for around 1,000 people. During the Moroccan screening in the 4DX theater at the Megarama cinema in Casablanca, several new details were revealed. Initially, the production team from Paramount Pictures and Scott Free Productions planned to shoot entirely in Malta due to accommodation difficulties in Ouarzazate, linked to the Covid crisis and the coincidence with other local events. Finally, thanks to the intervention of Sanaa Kilani, executive producer at Dunes Films, a closed hotel was renovated to accommodate the team.

Read also: Filmed in Morocco, Ridley Scott’s breathtaking “Gladiator II” hits theaters this Wednesday, November 13

An international cast, but Moroccan extras

The film stars Paul Mescal in the lead role, taking over from Russell Crowe, with Pedro Pascal as General Acacius and Denzel Washington, stunning as Macrinus, a former slave turned gladiator breeder. Of the two and a half hours that the film lasts, approximately 40 minutes, devoted to battle, sea and arena scenes, were shot in Morocco. Although some 400 Moroccan extras were mobilized each day, no renowned Moroccan actor appears in the film.

A filming incident without serious consequences

In June, a fire broke out on set during a naval battle scene. Ahmed Abounaoum specifies that five people were injured. “It was during a battle scene; Ridley Scott liked the flame effects so much that he asked for more“, he explains. This incident, a first on a foreign shoot in Morocco, caused fears, but without serious consequences: the injured were transported by helicopter to Marrakech to receive treatment.