Did they nail it, or did they blow it?
Trailers can make or break our first impressions of a movie, and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” trailer is no exception.
The first glimpse of this long-awaited sequel has sparked a whirlwind of opinions online, and it all boils down to one thing: the choice of music.
The much-hyped trailer for “Gladiator II” is here, offering a thrilling sneak peek at the upcoming historical epic. The visuals are stunning, the action looks intense, and the cast, featuring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, promises powerhouse performances.
But there’s one aspect that has fans in a heated debate, almost overshadowing the grandeur of the preview itself. The music.
“No Church in the Wild” by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, and The Dream is the song in the Gladiator II trailer. Many fans are upset because they feel the modern hip-hop track clashes with the film’s ancient Roman setting, disrupting the epic, historical atmosphere established by the original movie.
In the first trailer for “Gladiator II,” we witness Paul Mescal’s Lucius stepping into the ring, taking up the legacy left by Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius. The scenes are epic, with battles in the Colosseum, naval fights, and even rhinos. Ridley Scott clearly aims to top the original film’s spectacle.
Yet, instead of an orchestral score reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s iconic work from the first film, the trailer features “No Church in the Wild,” a modern hip-hop track. This unexpected choice has left many fans scratching their heads.
“No Church in the Wild,” released in 2011, is a track from the collaborative album “Watch the Throne” by Jay-Z and Kanye West, featuring Frank Ocean and The Dream.
The song’s dark and provocative lyrics speak to themes of power, chaos, and survival, which could theoretically align with the intense, historical narrative of “Gladiator II.” Yet, the track’s modern vibe feels out of place for a film set in ancient Rome.
On Reddit, user u/Murasasme shared a similar disappointment: “I’m a massive Gladiator fan, and the music for this trailer just took me out completely. It just does not fit the tone set by the original movie at all.”
It’s clear that while the song itself is well-regarded, its use in this context has struck a dissonant chord.
But why did the filmmakers choose “No Church in the Wild”?
The lyrics, which touch on themes of divine judgment and survival in a fallen world, might have been seen as a modern echo of the film’s ancient struggles.
Ridley Scott is known for exploring the clash between individual will and institutional power, and the song’s references to bloodstained arenas could have seemed fitting. Yet, for many, the anachronism is jarring.
This isn’t the first time a modern song has been used in a historical or epic film trailer, and reactions are often mixed.
When “Believer” by Imagine Dragons was used for the “Murder on the Orient Express” trailer, it similarly divided opinions. The risk with such choices is that they can either breathe fresh life into a trailer or disrupt the intended atmosphere entirely.
So, where does this leave “Gladiator II”?
The debate over the trailer’s music choice underlines the strong connection fans have with the original film’s score. While “No Church in the Wild” is a powerful song, its modern beat contrasts sharply with the ancient world depicted on screen. Whether this bold choice will pay off when the film is released remains to be seen.
Do you think modern music can enhance historical films, or does it distract from the setting and story?
Let us know your thoughts!
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