The highly anticipated premiere of the upcoming sequel to Gladiator is fast approaching, and Paramount just released a second trailer for the historical action film (you can watch it below). It further introduces characters new to the franchise, including Denzel Washington‘s Macrinus who is based on a real person. So, who was he, and what should we know about the real-life Macrinus? Before we dive in, let’s briefly look at ‘Gladiator II’ official synopsis. It reads,

Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Who was Macrinus IRL?

Macrinus reigned as the emperor of Rome from 217 to 218 AD. To obtain the most influential title in Rome, he conspired against Emperor Caracalla and effectively carried out his assassination. However, he only ruled for a year before he was executed following a coup led by Caracalla’s aunt—the events of ‘Gladiator II’ predate that period of history.

Pre-emperor Macrinus

Even before becoming a Roman emperor, Macrinus was a man of great influence. He held a high office position under Emperor Septimius Severus and later under his son, Emperor Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger in Gladiator II). This is most likely the point at which viewers will meet these characters.

Macrinus and gladiator Lucius

Judging by the trailer, Washington’s Macrinus will become very invested in Paul Mescal’s gladiator character, Lucius – the son of Lucilla and General Maximus from the original Gladiator. “You will be my instrument,” Macrinus tells Lucius. “You have something. I knew it from the start. That rage is your gift.”

Director Ridley Scott on Washington’s Macrinus

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ridley Scott shared some critical details about Washington’s Macrinus. He said:

“Denzel is an arms dealer who supplies food for the armies in Europe, supplies wine and oil, makes steel, makes spears, weapons, cannons, and catapults. So he is a very wealthy man. Instead of having a stable of racehorses, he has a stable of gladiators. He’s beautiful. He drives a golden Ferrari. I got him a gold-plated chariot.”

‘Gladiator II’ will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024. Watch the latest trailer below.

In a recent interview with A24, Brandy Norwood has expressed her desire for Halle Bailey, one-half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, to portray her in a potential biopic.

Brandy, known for her iconic roles in shows like ‘Moesha’ and her groundbreaking portrayal of Cinderella in the 1997 television movie, has always been a trailblazer in the industry. Bailey, who herself broke barriers by starring as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ seems like a poetic passing of the torch.

From her early days in music to her transition into acting, Brandy’s life story is rich with material for a compelling biopic. Bailey, with her rising star power and proven vocal and acting chops, seems poised to capture the essence of Brandy’s spirit and struggle.

The announcement has sparked a wave of support on platforms like X, where fans have praised the potential casting. “Legendary Brandy chooses Halle Bailey to star in her biopic! A perfect pick, as Halle’s talent and charisma would bring Brandy’s inspiring story to life in an unforgettable way,” commented one X user.

The decision to cast Bailey as Brandy would be more than just a casting choice; it would be a celebration of legacy and representation. Both Brandy and Halle have been vocal about the importance of representation in media. This potential collaboration between Brandy and Bailey could mark another chapter in Hollywood’s evolving landscape, where stories of Black women are not just told but celebrated, challenging and changing the narratives available to young audiences worldwide.

In a recent episode of Club Shay Shay, the popular podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe, actor and former NFL player Terry Crews shared a surprising revelation about his earnings for the 2002 comedy film “Friday After Next.” In the candid conversation, Crews opened up about the early days of his acting career and the challenges he faced as a struggling artist.

Crews, who played the role of Damon Pearly in “Friday After Next,” shared that he was paid a modest sum of $4,000 for his work on the film. This revelation surprised many fans and industry insiders, as the movie grossed over $33 million at the box office. However, Crews explained that he was still relatively unknown at the time and was grateful for the opportunity to work with Ice Cube and Mike Epps. “I got my shot. I got paid maybe $4000 on ‘Friday After Next,’ he shared. “But that’s why I came up to Cube and said, ‘Thank you. Thank you. That was a start. Now, I make money now!”

During the conversation, Crews also spoke about other challenges he faced as a young actor trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. He shared stories about working odd jobs to make ends meet and the sacrifices he made to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

Denzel Washington’s ‘Training Day’ is another movie in which the ‘White Chicks’ star appeared. Unlike ‘Friday After Next,’ he made nothing off of that job – as he initially agreed. “I didn’t get zero [for Training Day], but it changed my life forever,” he clarified. “You wouldn’t know who I was if it weren’t for a no-paying job.”

The Club Shay Shay episode featuring Terry Crews officially aired on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and garnered significant attention on social media. You can catch up on it the full interview here.