'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II': The Next Box Office Showdown?
"Gladiator II" and "Wicked" are anticipated to be major hits, drawing comparisons to the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon. "Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu, is a visually lavish adaptation of the Broadway musical, focusing on the misunderstood Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. "Gladiator II," directed by Ridley Scott, features Paul Mescal as Lucius, seeking revenge in a spectacle-filled Ancient Rome. Both films offer grand visuals but may lack the originality and depth of their predecessors.