Potential moviegoers did not hold back their disgust after the first trailer for Gladiator II dropped. Many called the trailer out for its tone-deaf inclusion of a Jay-Z and Kanye west rap song.
Paul Mescal as Lucius in Gladiator II (2024), Paramount Pictures
About two-thirds of the way through the trailer, the rap song “No Church in the Wild” by Jay-z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, and The Dream is played overtop the trailer and fans made it clear this was not getting them interested in the film. In fact, it appears to have done the opposite.
On Paramount Pictures’ official YouTube channel for the trailer, it currently has 190,000 dislikes compared to 113,000 likes.
A screenshot of the Gladiator II trailer
Many of the top comments specifically call out the trailer for the inclusion of the song.
One person wrote, “‘We only have one black guy in the movie, boss’ ‘Blast a rap song over the trailer!'”
Another stated, “It’s actually crazy they chose a hip hop song over Hans Zimmer for this trailer.”
Still another added, “1. Awful music choice 2. You showed too much 3. Awful music choice”
“I remember my grandmother saying to me: ‘I don’t care what they tell you in school, the Colosseum was designed for its acoustics for rap concerts,'” wrote one person.
A screenshot from the Gladiator II trailer
It did not stop there. One posted, “The producers: We’ve got Danzel, let’s throw a rap song in there to emphasize the roman empire.”
“There’s someone at Paramount who knew the music was a terrible choice, sitting back in their chair and laughing right now,” posted another.
Another posted, “‘This Jay Z song mentions a colosseum’ ‘Yeah stick that in there.'”
A screenshot from the Gladiator II trailer
This sentiment was shared on X as well. Nina Infinity posted, “Trailer was awful. It was too long and the choice of music was terrible. Only good thing was Denzel.. I don’t know if that’s enough for a movie with this kind of budget. I was not entertained.”
Trailer was awful. It was too long and the choice of music was terrible. Only good thing was Denzel.. I don’t know if that’s enough for a movie with this kind of budget.
I was not entertained. 😬
— Nina Infinity (@Nina7Infinity) July 9, 2024
Aesthetica simply wrote, “Jay-Z music in a gladiator movie trailer lmao.”
Jay-Z music in a gladiator movie trailer lmao
— Aesthetica (@Anc_Aesthetics) July 9, 2024
He would add in a follow-up post, “This is the proper Gladiator aesthetic. Jay-Z is really not it.”
This is the proper Gladiator aesthetic. Jay-Z is really not it.https://t.co/OFW1J3N1nv
— Aesthetica (@Anc_Aesthetics) July 9, 2024
X user billabilli1234 wrote, “music is terrible. not suited for this genre.”
music is terrible. not suited for this genre
— velan (@billabilli1234) July 9, 2024
Xocears wrote, “2 things: 1. Hip hop doesn’t match with ancient Rome. 2. Denzel is one of my favorite actors, but here sounds like Trainning day movie.”
2 things:
1. Hip hop doesn’t match with ancient Rome.
2. Denzel is one of my favorite actors, but here sounds like Trainning day movie.
— Joseph Xocĕars (@xocears) July 9, 2024
Adrianne Curry shared her thoughts, “That music is the most atrocious choice and SUCH a turn off for a period film! It’s like playing NINE INCH NAILS.”
That music is the most atrocious choice and SUCH a turn off for a period film!
It’s like playing NINE INCH NAILS
— Adrianne Curry (@AdrianneCurry) July 9, 2024
The official synopsis for the film states, “From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”
The film is directed by Ridley Scott and is based on a screenplay written by David Scarpa. It stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. It arrives in theaters on November 22, 2024.’
Paul Mescal as Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II (2024), Paramount Pictures
What do you make of the trailer for Gladiator II?
