Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election has sparked a whirlwind of discussions, and not all of them are polite. The reactions range from incandescent fury among the left to sheer jubilation among his supporters, illustrating once again that in the political world, it’s often the case of love him or absolutely detest him. Trump’s decisive win has certainly provided fodder for both sides, but in true Trump fashion, he seems to have infiltrated the pop culture lexicon as well.
Hollywood Legend Says 'Clever Gangster' Trump Was Inspiration for 'Gladiator II' Character: “He creates chaos and from chaos he can evolve.” https://t.co/aW0Bgq3VCP pic.twitter.com/ppzv4VSBfN
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) November 28, 2024
In an unusual twist, famed director Ridley Scott has found himself inspired by the 45th and 47th President while working on the sequel to his iconic film “Gladiator.” The 86-year-old British filmmaker, who has given audiences unforgettable classics like “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” claimed that the character Macrinus, as portrayed by Denzel Washington, draws parallels to Trump. Scott suggests Macrinus is much like a clever gangster who manipulates chaos to elevate his status. Apparently, for Scott, this connection feels more like a cautionary tale than a rave review, as he paints Trump in rather unflattering colors.
The portrayal of Macrinus is said to embody traits of a man who’d exploit anyone—including his own family—on his climb to power. Washington’s commentary further echoes this sentiment, alleging that the character is a ruthless operator, devoid of morals and in cahoots with unsavory forces. Hollywood appears steadfast in crafting a narrative that positions Trump not just as a figure of controversy, but as the embodiment of a villain, conveniently forgetting his sizable base of supporters.
Despite some Hollywood bigwigs attempting to draw connections between Trump and their characters, the film “Gladiator II” has run into some hurdles which have nothing to do with the former president. Critics, including historians, have pounced on the film’s inaccuracies, dubbing it “total Hollywood nonsense.” A prominent historian, Dr. Shadi Bartsch, has publicly lambasted early trailers for depicting anachronisms, such as Roman nobles supposedly sipping coffee in cafes—an artistic liberty that seems to ignore basic historical facts. Apparently, a little imagination is fine, but some viewers expect a modicum of research in their epic tales.
Critics have also taken issue with the depiction of Roman soldiers engaging in absurdities that would stagger even the most lenient history buffs. For example, the inclusion of non-native species and anachronistic settings leaves more to be desired. Bartsch adds that while the Romans had their daily news, it certainly didn’t involve the luxury of modern cafés. The image of a Roman citizen casually leafing through a newspaper 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press illustrates just how far off the mark Hollywood can be.
As the sequel rolls into theaters, it’s clear that while the film aims for grandeur and complexity, it might end up being overshadowed by the political drama that continues to swirl around Trump. Regardless, the critics might want to buckle up, as they’ll likely find themselves drowning in a pool of their own snark while polling the latest opinions on “Gladiator II” and its relationship with America’s most polarizing figure. Conversations about the film, much like those about Trump, are bound to rattle on for some time.
