Gladiator 2 set in chaos as fireball injures crew members

Gladiator 2 filming was interrupted by a fiery explosion in Morocco this week.

According to The Sun's report, a costly special effects sequence went awry, resulting in a fireball engulfing the set and injuring six crew members, who are now receiving treatment in hospital.

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Big names such as Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and director Sir Ridley Scott were left watching in horror as this unfolded.

Investigators are currently trying to determine the cause of this accident, with onlookers speculating that it could be down to a ruptured gas pipe.

Also starring The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal, Matt Lucas, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi and Fred Hechinger, Gladiator 2 follows the plight of Lucius (played by Normal People breakout Mescal), the son of Lucilla from the original movie.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mescal teased the physical preparations he'd be putting in place ahead of production.

"This guy's got to fight and got to be a beast. And whatever that looks and feels like is right for me, is what it’s going to be," he shared.

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“Of course there's a physical robustness required for the character, but past that, I’m not interested.

“With films like this and superhero films, there is sometimes a focus on that, which I don't find that interesting. Sometimes I see films and I'm like, 'That person doesn't look real.'"

Released 23 years ago, Gladiator won Russell Crowe the Oscar for Best Actor, as well as Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design and Best Sound.

Gladiator 2 is scheduled to hit cinemas on 22 November, 2024.

Watch: Barry Keoghan has dropped out of the Gladiator sequel