"Wickdiator doesn't really roll of the tongue, does it?"— Paul Mescal hopes the release of Gladiator II and Wicked will be last year's 'Barbenheimer'

Aftersun actor Paul Mescal, in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, hoped the same-day release of Gladiator II and Wicked: Part One would bring in a friendly competition similar to the Barbie and Oppenheimer movies did last year. Mescal who plays the character of Lucius in the upcoming epic historical drama film said,

"Wickdiator doesn't really roll of the tongue, does it? I think my preference would probably be Glicked if it has a similar effect to what it did for Barbie and Oppenheimer."

Gladiator II is the sequel to the 2000s Gladiator and is set years after the first movie. Wicked is an adaptation of a Broadway musical that stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

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"I think the films couldn't be more polar opposites" says Paul Mescal about Gladiator II and Wicked

While hoping the films would follow in the footsteps of the internationally popular Barbenheimer trend with the same-day release, Paul Mescal reasoned his hopes from the fact that the two are polar opposites.

While Gladiator II is a historical drama, Wicked is a fantasy musical set in the Land of Oz.

"It would be amazing' cause I think the films couldn't be more polar opposites, and it worked in that context previously. So fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend," said Mescal.

Barbenheimer 2023 paved the way for merchandise opportunities for brands and businesses. The contrasting fandoms of both movies, debating which one's the best, also led to a theater chain like AMC earning its highest revenue ever. In the era of streaming platforms, both Barbie and Oppenheimer brought back the theater experience.

Paul Mescal isn't the only one hoping for a face-off between both films. Jon M. Chu, Wicked director, took to X on July 1 by reposting an image of a montage of both films with the caption,

"#Wickediator "Are you not entertained?!!!" November 22nd (laughing emoji)"

Speaking about the forthcoming film, Paul Mescal stated,

"I think the main thing that I'm excited about is the homage that it pays to the first one but also the kind of new direction that the film takes. I think it's well balanced in that regard in terms of the physical action of the film and the balance of the kind of political aspects of the film as well."

While Gladiator (2000) follows Maximus, a betrayed Roman general turned gladiator seeking vengeance against Emperor Commodus, the upcoming movie Gladiator II continues the story with Lucius, Lucilla's son and Commodus's nephew.

Gladiator II and Wicked will be released across cinemas on November 22, 2024.