LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ridley Scott’s upcoming magnum opus has been struck with an unfortunate tragedy. ‘Gladiator 2’ starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal is in full shooting mode in Morocco. The sets are heavily designed to match the era and follow the style of its predecessor. The film is packed with action sequences and while filming one of those sequences, an explosion occurred that engulfed the set with fire.

There was total chaos after the accident as six crew members involved in the stunt were caught as Mescal and Washington watched in sheer horror. The explosion on the set is a wake-up call for the Hollywood industry to implement more safeguarding measures while filming high-octane and risky action sequences. But what was the cause of the explosion that injured six crew members?

‘I’ve never seen an accident so scary’

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined. A full-blown investigation has been launched into the unfortunate incident with many speculating that a gas pipe on the set may have ruptured. A spokesperson from Paramount Pictures shed some light on the accident and told Variety, “While filming a planned stunt sequence on the set of the ‘Gladiator’ sequel, an accident occurred during which several crew members experienced non-life-threatening injuries. The safety and full medical services teams on-site were able to act quickly so that those who were impacted immediately received the necessary care. They are all in stable condition and continue to receive treatment.”

While this may bring relief to the family members of the injured crew but the people present on the set described it as the scariest thing that they’ve ever witnessed. “It was terrifying — a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path,” a crew member said while the other mentioned, “In years of filming I’ve never seen an accident so scary.” The accident has shaken everyone from the director to the actors and the studio who are now praying for the speedy recovery of the crew members.

What is the ‘Gladiator 2’ about?

‘Gladiator 2’ follows the events of its predecessor with Paul Mescal taking on the lead role of Lucius, the young Roman aristocrat who appears alongside Meridius in the first film. Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen join him in supporting roles. Paramount Pictures has set a November 22, 2024, release date for the untitled sequel at the moment.