With the epic historical blockbuster, Gladiator 2, set to hit big screens across the globe, we examine the film’s breathtaking shooting locations in Malta and analyse how its production helped boost the local construction sector.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
As Gladiator 2 gears up for its much-anticipated European premiere on the 14th of November, the spotlight isn’t just on the star-studded cast or legendary story – it’s on the nation of Malta, and the crucial role that construction plays in making a cinematic masterpiece.
This tiny Mediterranean island, renowned for its ancient architecture and rich history, served as a central filming location for the movie, a sequel to the classic blockbuster from 2000, providing Gladiator 2 with its iconic backdrop and stunning array of breathtaking landscapes.
As such, Malta has become a primary filming location for many of Hollywood’s biggest movies over the course of the last 20 years.
The film stars a dazzling new cast, including lead actor Paul Mescal, complemented by swashbuckling support from Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Hollywood royalty, Denzel Washington.
Meanwhile, director, Ridley Scott, returns once again to the awe-inspiring world of Gladiator battles and Roman politics that he created a quarter of a century ago.
WHY MALTA?
Gladiator 2 is another feather in Malta’s distinguished set-jetting cap, taking its place alongside other blockbuster hits that have filmed on location in the country, like Napoleon, Troy, Game of Thrones, the original Gladiator, and Jurassic World Dominion.
It is a destination that auteur director and cinematic creator of the Gladiator franchise, Scott, has returned to several times during his storied career.
One of the landmark filming locations chosen for the shoot was the iconic and stunning Fort Ricasoli. This impressive structure is the largest fort in Malta and has been on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998.
Most of the fort is leased to the Malta Film Commission and has been used extensively as a location for various films and TV series. In recent years, huge sets have been meticulously built within its towering walls.
Whilst a Roman amphitheatre and ancient buildings were constructed for Gladiator 2 near the shore at Fort Ricasoli, the castle itself will also play as prominent a role as it did in the original film.
Numerous enormous sets were built during production, including a one-third size Colosseum complete with complementary CGI technology.
In a world of green screens and artificial intelligence (AI), this “might be the last great build in movies”, according to co-producer, Lucy Fisher.
The star-studded cast has also praised Malta and its impressive filming locations.
“Malta is a character. You can feel the history here and it was the perfect place to shoot,” said lead actor, Denzel Washington, on the recent worldwide press tour.
“Location is everything when it comes to telling a story, and Malta is one of the best places in the world to make movies,” added co-star, Pedro Pascal.
BOOSTING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Amongst the many jobs and roles that are required and created during the process of making a blockbuster movie, none represent such vital importance as the task that construction fulfils, from set design to stunt work.
Furthermore, large-scale film productions such as Gladiator 2 provide numerous high-profile job roles within the sector and help to invigorate the local industry – in this case, across Malta.
As such, a construction manager is responsible for the building of sets and studios, including hiring the workforce, ensuring the safety of the crew, and interpreting the production designer’s drawings. They also manage the dismantling of sets, known as ‘striking’.
Elsewhere, a set builder creates artificial environments or scenes for the film using materials like wood, metal, or paper. Movie sets can, of course, be built either in studios using sound stages or on location. Historical epics such as Gladiator 2 usually favour using real-world locations to enhance the sense of place and period accuracy.
Additionally, an array of standby roles are required on a movie set, including a painter, carpenter, rigger, and stagehand, who remain present on set at all times, representing their department and making modifications as needed during filming.
One final role under the diverse umbrella of construction is that of the bookings coordinator, who may be tasked with ordering and collecting art department materials, helping to build scale models, and assisting with last-minute set changes.
These many construction related roles and responsibilities form the vital building blocks of production on films of such scale as Gladiator 2.
