Gladiator 2

AMC’s Popcorn Bucket For ‘Gladiator 2’ Is Giving Rap Fans MF DOOM Vibes

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mf-doom.jpeg
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The 20th anniversary of MF DOOM‘s fifth album MM..FOOD is right around the corner, and there’s a whole ton of new merch coming to celebrate — including, apparently, a popcorn bucket…?

Okay, so AMC isn’t really releasing one of its infamous custom concession containers to commemorate DOOM’s high-concept, edible-inspired album… but you can pretend it is with the bucket for Gladiator 2, which fans have noted bears a distinctive resemblance to the rap supervillain’s trademark mask.

Of course, there’s an obvious reason for the MF DOOM vibes coming from the Gladiator 2 bucket: DOOM’s mask was a modified prop from the first Gladiator film worn by the titular protagonist played by Russell Crowe. It just so happens that in the intervening 24 years since the first film, the design has become much more associated with DOOM in pop culture, leading to similar, very funny misunderstandings such as the time actress Sharon Stone posted a photo on social media wearing the mask, generating a slew of jokes about her actually being the iconic underground rapper.

In reality, DOOM was the not-so-secret identity of Daniel Dumile, formerly known as Zev Love X from the early ’90s rap group KMD. However, he still did manage to keep one aspect of his civilian identity out of the public record: His birthday, which rap fans mistook for decades before his death in 2020.

Megan Thee Stallion Put A ‘Gladiator II’ Spin On Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ For Pepsi’s New NFL Commercial

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Megan Thee Stallion has been in utmost demand this year, from her Hot Girl Summer Tour to hosting next week’s 2024 MTV VMAs.

But, according to Meg, she’s only just arrived.

“ATTENTION HOTTIES,” Megan Thee Stallion captioned an Instagram post on Thursday morning, September 5. “WE ARE OFFICIALLY FAMOUS WE GOT A PEPSI COMMERCIAL.”

Yes, Pepsi and Paramount Global partnered for a brand new commercial blending Paramount’s forthcoming Gladiator II and the 2024 NFL season.

The three-minute spot begins with actors Jake Lacy and Lamorne Morris bragging about their respective fantasy teams. Then, we’re taken inside of their freshly served Pepsi can, which transforms into a Roman Coliseum. Travis Kelce, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson stalk out dressed as gladiators. Kelce, always hogging the spotlight, screams, “Are you ready?!” Megan Thee Stallion interrupts him to unleash tigers into the Coliseum and starts singing her unique spin on Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”

According to Variety, this ad will run until Gladiator II premieres on November 22.

“Megan Thee Stallion is going to get people to pay attention; Travis Kelce and Josh Allen are going to get people to pay attention,” Paramount President Of Advertising John Halley told the publication. “It’s a first-class branding moment for Pepsi and one that is going to last.”

The new NFL season begins on Thursday night with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens. The game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

The Jay-Z And Kanye West Song In The Epic ‘Gladiator II’ Trailer Is Making People Go ‘Wild’

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paul mescal gladiator
Paramount Pictures

There’s a lot to love about the Gladiator II trailer.

Paul Mescal‘s muscles. Pedro Pascal in a fighting pit. Denzel Washington’s laugh. Director Ridley Scott still killing it at 86 years old. The Roman Colosseum being filled with water (!) and sharks (!!!). And — if you’re a normal person — the anachronistic use of “No Church In The Wild” by Jay-Z and Kanye West, ft. Frank Ocean and The-Dream.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of not-normal people out there, and they’re having a bit of a meltdown over the Watch The Throne single. There are many good reasons to object to Kanye; this is not one of them.

Here are some comments on the Gladiator II trailer on YouTube:

These are the same people who still think “rap? more like crap” is the peak of comedy (something tells me they didn’t have any issues with the Queen-heavy soundtrack to A Knight’s Tale). But instead of focusing on them, let’s turn our attention to what really matters: a great f*cking trailer.

Here’s more on Gladiator II:

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius 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.

Gladiator II comes out in theaters on November 22.