Prepare to be transported back to the glory and grit of ancient Rome as “Gladiator II” storms into cinemas this December. Starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Pedro Pascal, this much-anticipated sequel revives the powerful saga of courage, loyalty, and fate in the Colosseum’s awe-inspiring arenas. Set to release on December 4, this Paramount Pictures film, distributed through Columbia Pictures in the Philippines, is already generating a wave of excitement.
A Legacy Reignited
In newly released featurettes, Denzel Washington, who joins the iconic saga, shares his awe for the immersive world crafted by the filmmakers. “Everywhere you turn, you feel like you’re in that world… I love that,” Washington enthuses about stepping onto the colossal Colosseum set, built to recreate the intensity and energy of Rome’s gladiatorial battlegrounds.
Paul Mescal is Lucius in #GladiatorIIPedro Pascal is General Marcus Acacius in #GladiatorIIDenzel Washington is Macrinus in #GladiatorII
Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal and fan favorite Pedro Pascal join Washington in celebrating the rich storytelling and complex character arcs that will grip audiences anew. Each brings a fresh, dynamic portrayal to their roles, navigating the harsh realities and brutal politics of ancient Rome.
A Cinematic Spectacle Awaits
Director Ridley Scott returns to the helm, promising fans an intense visual spectacle filled with massive set pieces and emotional performances. Known for his keen attention to detail, Scott has reconstructed ancient Rome with painstaking precision. From the grandeur of the Colosseum to the atmospheric streets of Rome, the set design alone promises a cinematic journey into a world as haunting as it is beautiful.
Joseph Quinn is Emperor Geta in #GladiatorIIConnie Nielsen is Lucilla in #GladiatorIIFred Hechinger is Emperor Caracalla in #GladiatorII
Mark Your Calendars – December 4!
Audiences in the Philippines will experience Gladiator II on the big screen starting December 4. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the saga, this film promises an unforgettable experience, brimming with power, pride, and pulse-pounding action.
Join the Conversation
Excited to see the return of the Colosseum and ancient Rome’s heroes? Be part of the conversation online! Follow the hashtag #GladiatorII, and tag @paramountpicsph to share your thoughts and fan art, connect with other enthusiasts, and get updates on exclusive content.
The wait is over, and the arena calls once again! The highly anticipated “Gladiator II,” directed by the legendary Ridley Scott, is charging into cinemas soon. As the sequel to the Academy Award-winning original, this epic film promises to take you on a thrilling journey filled with power, intrigue, and unrelenting action. Ready to catch a glimpse? Watch the gripping new trailer and check out the stunning new poster now!
A Star-Studded Cast Bringing Ancient Rome Back to Life
Taking place years after the tragic death of the fearless hero Maximus, we meet Lucius (Paul Mescal), who must confront a brutal reality. After the destruction of his home, Lucius is thrown into the ruthless Colosseum, where Rome’s tyrannical emperors reign supreme. With the weight of his family’s legacy on his shoulders and the Empire’s future at stake, Lucius must find the strength, honor, and courage to challenge the ruthless rulers who now grip Rome with an iron fist. Will he restore Rome’s lost glory, or will he be consumed by the fury of the arena?
Behind the Epic Saga
Directed by Ridley Scott, whose visionary storytelling defined the original “Gladiator,” this sequel promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience. The screenplay, penned by David Scarpa, delves deep into the ancient world, breathing new life into characters originally brought to life by David Franzoni.
Mark Your Calendar!
Distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures, “Gladiator II” is set to electrify audiences in cinemas soon. Connect with fellow fans and keep the excitement alive by using the hashtag #GladiatorIIand tagging @paramountpicsph on all your social media posts!
Ready to witness the epic saga of power, revenge, and the fight for freedom? Watch the trailer today, and feel the thrill of the Colosseum as it echoes with the roars of battle!
Get ready for an epic return to Ancient Rome with Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel, Gladiator II. This powerhouse of a movie features an all-star cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger. Mark your calendars for its grand release on November 20!
Paul Mescal as Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in #GladiatorII
From the legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the gripping saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance in Ancient Rome. Years have passed since the tragic death of the revered hero Maximus. Lucius (Paul Mescal), now grown, finds himself drawn into the Colosseum after his homeland is overtaken by the tyrannical rulers of Rome. With a burning rage and the fate of the Empire hanging in the balance, Lucius must draw on his past to reclaim Rome’s glory for its people.
Denzel Washington as Macrinus and Connie Nielsen as Lucilla in #GladiatorII
Distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures, Gladiator II hits cinemas starting November 20. Don’t miss the cinematic event of the year! Engage with the film on social media using the hashtag #GladiatorII and tag @paramountpicsph.
Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua team up for the fifth time in “The Equalizer 3,” which ties Fuqua with the late Tony Scott as Washington’s most frequent director collaborator.
Washington says there are many reasons why he looks forward to reteaming with Fuqua: “His spiritual maturity, his collaboration, his humility, his eye,” says the actor. “There was never a question about his talent, his experience. We’re brothers – I trust him completely, he trusts me, and I’m excited about our future together. The deeper he goes, the higher he’ll go, and I’m not talking about movies.”
Fuqua returns the compliment: “Denzel constantly surprises me because the environment changes. He’s like an athlete,” says Fuqua of Washington. “If Michael Jordan is playing against the Celtics, it’s one game. If he’s playing against the Lakers, it’s another game. Each situation Denzel is in, he’s so much in the moment of the character, that there’s times I’m discovering constantly, ‘What’s he going to do?’”
Watching Washington be “in the moment” of his character, in Fuqua’s words, is a unique experience. “I’ll go to Denzel to give him a note about something he did, and he’ll literally ask, ‘What did I do? What did I say?’ He’s so in the moment,” shares Fuqua. “So I tell other actors that they have to be in the moment with Denzel. Your instinct has to be heightened and you have to really listen. You can’t come in with preconceived ideas, because that won’t work. It’s just like a dance – Denzel will stick to the intention of the scene, but you must move with him.”
Watch the trailer below:
While waiting for “The Equalizer 3” to open in cinemas on September 13, let’s take a look back at the previous films that the critics-favorite duo have worked on together:
TRAINING DAY (2001)
Also stars: Ethan Hawke, Eva Mendes
Synopsis: Every day a war rages between drug dealers and cops on the streets of America’s inner cities. With every war comes casualties, none greater than 13-year veteran Los Angeles narcotics officer Alonzo Harris (Washington), whose questionable methods blur the line between legal and corrupt. Today Alonzo gets a new partner, idealistic rookie Jake Hoyt (Hawke), and Jake has one day – and one day only – to prove his mettle to his fiercely charismatic superior. Over 24 hours, Jake will be dragged into the ethical mire of Alonzo’s logic as both men risk their careers and their lives to serve conflicting notions of justice.
Fun fact: Washington’s portrayal of Alonzo earned him a Best Actor Oscar.
THE EQUALIZER (2014)
Also stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman
Synopsis: McCall (Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)
Also stars: Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke
Synopsis: In Director Antoine Fuqua’s modern vision to a classic story, the desperate townspeople of Rose Creek employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns after the town falls under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue. As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.
THE EQUALIZER 2 (2018)
Also stars: Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman
Synopsis: Washington returns to one of his signature roles in the first sequel of his career. Robert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed – but how far will he go when it is someone he loves?
And don’t forget:
THE EQUALIZER 3 (September 13, 2023)
Also stars: Dakota Fanning
Synopsis: Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
The Equalizer 3 opens in Philippine cinemas September 13.
**The interviews for this article were done before the SAG-AFTRA strike.**
Since co-starring as a child actress with Denzel Washington in the 2004 film Man on Fire, Dakota Fanning has kept in touch with the veteran actor.
“I’ve known Denzel for a big part of my life,” says Fanning. “One of his daughters is one of my closest friends, so I’ve always been in the loop on what he’s up to.”
Fanning is reuniting with Washington in The Equalizer 3, where she plays a CIA analyst that Washington’s Robert McCall reaches out to for help as he begins his fight against the mafia.
Watch the trailer below:
On the film’s set, Fanning and Washington fell into the natural rhythms of their long relationship. “Denzel is very protective of Dakota,” says producer Todd Black. “On set, you could see them laughing and talking and whispering to each other. To watch them act together was magical, because both have a very naturalistic style of acting. She’s already so good to begin with, and to watch her play off of this genius actor just raises everybody’s game. All of their scenes together are so honest – entertaining and honest.”
Washington says that Fanning had all of the talent, skill and preparation of a grown woman when she was nine years old – and that now, as an adult, her talent is in full bloom. “She knew how to bring it,” he recalls. “Now, she’s really a grown woman, and obviously a great talent. The sky’s the limit for her.”
“Putting Dakota and Denzel together again was a special thing to see,” says director Antoine Fuqua. “Dakota has been doing this since she was five years old, and she’s such a pro – she’s on the money every time. I’d give her one note, she’d come in, and – boom. She’s like a samurai.”
As he recovers from a gunshot wound that threatens to take him out of action, McCall places a call to the CIA, where he reaches Emma, played by Fanning, who is just beginning her career at the agency. “She has great intuition and the instincts to pick up on little details, so she senses a familiarity with McCall but can’t put a finger on it,” Fanning explains. “As someone who is just starting out at her job at the CIA, she seizes that opportunity to make this her way to level up in her field. She’s ambitious and driven and wants to take this opportunity to not only advance her own professional position, but also to help people. And as the mission becomes bigger and she realizes how much is at stake, her mind is going a mile a minute to put all the pieces together, with McCall’s help.”
The relationship between McCall and Emma is shrouded in cryptic phone calls and enigmatic messages. “We talked a lot about the cat and mouse game between Emma and McCall, and how they sort of challenge one another,” says Fanning. “McCall moves through the world with a lot of mystery, and Emma is trying to get down to the bottom of who he is, why he’s there, how he has her number, and how they’re connected.”
The Equalizer 3 opens in Philippine cinemas September 13.
**The interviews for this article were done before the writers and actors strikes.**
Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, and written by Richard Wenk, based on the television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
The film’s cast is led by Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman and Gaia Scodellaro.
In cinemas September 13, The Equalizer 3 is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheEqualizer3
In the riveting culmination of the trilogy The Equalizer 3, the enigmatic life of Robert McCall takes center stage once again. While his mission to aid those in need has provided him a semblance of comfort, it’s clear that violence has left an indelible mark on his identity, and that can’t endure indefinitely. Denzel Washington, reprising his signature role, delves into McCall’s internal struggles, stating, “He’s grappling with his inner demons. This film distinguishes itself from the first two by delving into a more personal narrative. It’s about his redemption and the art of letting go.”
“He’s going through an internal battle,” says Antoine Fuqua, who returns to direct the third film in the trilogy and fifth overall with Washington. “He’s helping those who can’t help themselves, handing out justice his way to evil people. But he’s questioning himself. Has he gone too far? Is he enjoying it too much? Is he still doing it for the right reasons?”
Producers Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal say that the reason that The Equalizer franchise has resonated so strongly with audiences is that it echoes with who Washington is in real life – minus the violence. “Robert McCall is able to take care of good people who can’t take care of themselves,” they say. “Denzel, as a human being, really believes in mission-oriented goals… I think it’s the same thing here with Robert McCall – he uses his powers to serve good. He, as both Denzel and as Robert McCall, are going to make sure that the good people are protected. The fun of it is tracking them down – he gives them all an opportunity to stop what they’re doing, and they don’t, and so he has to become the Equalizer.”
The trouble for McCall, says Washington, is that he’s become a little too enamored by that idea – to his peril. “He has gotten addicted to this so-called ‘justice’ and crossed the line into unnecessary violence,” adds Washington. “He pays a price. And he has to deal with himself, and rely on others, and break out of his patterns, or he will die. Through that, hopefully, he finds peace.”
“What I wanted to explore was a man on the verge,” Fuqua continues. “McCall is on the verge of a question – what else does he have to live for? His wife is gone; Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) is gone. It seems like he does the right thing, but he’s constantly punished. And so I think he’s on the verge, and he has to think about what he’s going to do with his life.”
The Equalizer 3 brings Robert McCall abroad for the first time. “The plan was always that the third film would go overseas,” says screenwriter Richard Wenk. “I had never been to Italy, but I knew that Denzel spends a lot of time there. So, during the pandemic, I did a lot of research. I thought that Italy would be the place that McCall might end up finding a place for himself.”
The Equalizer 3, also starring Dakota Fanning, opens in Philippine cinemas September 13.
**The interviews for this article were done before the writers and actors strikes.**
Following his departure from the realm of government assassination, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) grapples with reconciling his haunting past. Discovering a semblance of solace in rendering justice on behalf of the downtrodden, he finds himself unexpectedly at home in Southern Italy. However, he stumbles upon the plight of his newfound friends, ensnared by local crime syndicates. In the face of escalating danger, McCall embraces his duty: to shield his friends by taking on the mafia.
Helmed by director Antoine Fuqua and penned by Richard Wenk, inspired by the TV series by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
The film boasts a cast led by Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman, and Gaia Scodellaro.
Arriving in cinemas on September 13, The Equalizer 3 receives its Philippine distribution through Columbia Pictures, a local arm of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Join the conversation with #TheEqualizer3.
Get a sneak peek of the intense action and drama awaiting you in “The Equalizer 3” by watching the official trailer below. Prepare for a heart-pounding cinematic experience as vengeance meets its equal in Denzel Washington’s unforgettable portrayal of Robert McCall.
Denzel Washington is back with a vengeance in the highly-anticipated final chapter of “The Equalizer” series. In “The Equalizer 3,” Washington reprises his role as Robert McCall, a former government assassin seeking redemption and purpose by serving justice for the oppressed.
In this action-packed installment, McCall finds himself in Southern Italy, where he unexpectedly forms new friendships. However, he quickly learns that his new friends are under the control of powerful local crime bosses. As the situation takes a dangerous turn, McCall has no choice but to confront the mafia head-on to protect those he cares about.
Directed by the talented Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk, “The Equalizer 3” is based on the television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. Denzel Washington leads an impressive cast that includes Dakota Fanning, David Denman, and Gaia Scodellaro.
The Equalizer 3 is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Get ready to experience the thrilling final chapter in this action-thriller saga when it hits cinemas across the country this August. Connect with the hashtag #TheEqualizer3
Columbia Pictures and Escape Artists has commenced filming on The Equalizer 3 – the third Robert McCall action thriller film, written by Richard Wenk, based on the television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
The Equalizer 3 is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheEqualizer3
