Since Barbenheimer‘s dominance at the summer box office last year, some studios attempted to replicate the phenomena, including last year’s Saw Patrol, which wasn’t quite successful at creating a major splash. However, things might work out differently for Wicked and Gladiator 2, which are set to release a week apart from each other.
However, it seems the Ariana Grande-led musical might end up surpassing Ridley Scott’s epic, as the early reactions to the film have been pretty solid and it’s already creating some buzz ahead of the Awards season.
The Wicked’s Award Buzz Might Give It an Edge Over Gladiator 2
Apart from being polar opposites tonally, another major aspect that added to the hype of Barbenheimer was the track record of the two auteurs, Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan. Although both excelled critically and commercially, it was Nolan’s Oppenheimer that ended up sweeping Oscars despite Barbie‘s win at the box office.
Similar seems to be the case with Wicked and Gladiator 2. Apart from being helmed by two notable filmmakers, especially the latter, it seems Jon M. Chu’s Wicked might have an edge over Scott’s sequel to Gladiator, starring Paul Mescal. Ahead of its 22 November release, Universal unveiled the Ariana Grande-led Wicked to Academy voters at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, which drew over 900 attendees. Moreover, the reception to the film has been dubbed the best since Oppenheimer, which nabbed seven Oscars.
Although Gladiator 2, starring Paul Mescal, has also garnered pretty decent early reactions, it seems Wicked has a great chance to dethrone the sequel by the end of their box-office run, as, unlike Oppenheimer, it’s rated PG.
Ridley Scott Addressed Barry Keoghan’s Exit From Gladiator 2
Weighing on Barry Keoghan‘s early exit from the sequel, who initially signed on to play the gig of Emperor Caracalla, Ridley Scott shared that The Batman star’s commitment to Saltburn led to his premature departure. However, it doesn’t seem the Alien filmmaker holds any grudge against The Banshees of Inisherin star, as apart from deeming Saltburn his favorite film of last year, Scott further commended Keoghan’s acting chops, adding “[He] is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and Paul [Mescal]”
Barry got locked into Saltburn. I think that’s maybe the best film I’ve seen this year. Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and Paul [Mescal].
While time will tell which one of the two would attain the crown at the box office, given the early reactions to both releases, it’s safe to say this is a win-win for cinema.
Gladiator 2 is set to release on 15 November and Wicked will hit theatres on 22 November.
