Before Gladiator II, before their semi-awkward meeting with King Charles, did you know that Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal worked together on another action film? Yep, Washington, 69, and Pascal, 49, were both in 2018's The Equalizer 2.
Did You Know 'Gladiator II' Isn't the First Time Denzel Washington & Pedro Pascal Have Worked Together?
this is their second film as costars
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Published Nov 22, 2024
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A follow-up to 2014's The Equalizer (which was based on a TV series of the same name), The Equalizer 2 follows ex-Marine and retired intelligence officer Robert McCall (Washington) as he sets out on a path of revenge after one of his friends is murdered. Pascal plays Robert's former partner, Dave. After Dave and another officer, Susan, are called to investigate a murder-suicide in Brussels, Susan is accosted in her room and killed during what seems to be a robbery. Later, after Robert is attacked by an assassin, he discovers a familiar phone number on the assassin's call list...
The film has a 52 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critical consensus reading, "The Equalizer 2 delivers the visceral charge of a standard vigilante thriller, but this reunion of trusted talents ultimately proves a disappointing case study in diminishing returns."
The two actors' second film together, the hotly anticipated Gladiator II, is in theaters today, and was a much pricier undertaking than their inaugural project as costars. Equalizer 2, directed by Antoine Fuqua was made with a budget of $65 million, versus Gladiator II, which was directed by Ridley Scott and costs, according to The Hollywood Reporter, a whopping $250 million.
The sequel to 2000's hit film Gladiator has a 71 percent Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes among early reviews, with the critical consensus reading, "Echoing its predecessor while upping the bloodsport and camp, Gladiator II is an action extravaganza that derives much of its strength and honor from Denzel Washington's scene-stealing performance."
Along with Washington and Pascal, the film stars It stars Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and more. Mescal portrays Lucius, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Marcus Acacius (Pascal). Lucius seeks revenge against Acacius and fights as a gladiator for Macrinus (Washington), a former slave who plans to overthrow the emperors Geta and Caracalla and control Rome.
With tons of buzz and promising early reviews, I think it's safe to say Gladiator II is on track to become these two stars' most successful collaboration yet.
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