The Spanish city of Mérida, in the west of the country, was the chosen setting by distributor Paramount to promote the movie "Gladiator II" this Tuesday. Some of the city's most emblematic Roman monuments, such as the Theater, the Amphitheater, and the Temple of Diana, served as the backdrop for this promotional event.
Despite the rainy weather conditions that marred the day and forced a shortening of some activities, several prominent influencers immersed themselves in the history of Emerita Augusta, the ancient Roman city, which still retains important monuments from that era. At the Temple of Diana, gladiators dressed up and presented themselves before their followers, kicking off a solemn gladiatorial procession toward the Amphitheater, where various fights were held.
These activities featured the participation of local associations of Roman recreation, Emerita Antiqua, Ara Concordiae, and Protectores Augusti Nostri, with the support of the Mérida City Council and the Consortium of the Monumental City. The producer highlighted Mérida's connection to the original "Gladiator" film from 2000, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a loyal Hispanic general of Emerita Augusta betrayed by Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. "Gladiator" won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
The sequel to the film, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, and Joseph Quinn, has found in Mérida a key place for its promotion, adding the Spanish city to the list of prominent locations for this event.