Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II”—starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen—is finally here and is a hit worldwide. Will the story continue?

Gladiator II is an exciting return to the arena. However, it doesn't match the highs of Gladiator. Here's why.

"Gladiator II" is set in Ancient Rome and North Africa, but where was the Ridley Scott epic actually filmed? Like the first film, portions were shot in Morocco and Malta, while director Ridley Scott also filmed key scenes in his native England.

Ridley Scott ensures Gladiator II ends on a more hopeful note than its predecessor, despite the painful deaths and relentless bloodshed.