Composer Harry Gregson-Williams Talks GLADIATOR II And Listen To His “Strength and Honor” Track

By Michelle McCue | October 12, 2024

Decca Records US is set to release the soundtrack to Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated Gladiator sequel on November 15, 2024. Gladiator II: Music From The Motion Picture by composer Harry Gregson-Williams features an epic orchestral score, comprised of over 100 musicians and singers from across the globe, and meticulously crafted to accompany the blockbuster new movie starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. 

The soundtrack also includes the timeless hit song “Now We Are Free” composed by Hans Zimmer for the original Gladiator film almost 25 years ago and featuring singer Lisa Gerrard.

From legendary director Ridley Scott, and a screenplay by David Scarpa, story by Peter Craig and David Scarpa, and based on characters created by David Franzoni, 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.

Listen to the lead single “Strength and Honor” from Harry Gregson-Williams’ new Gladiator II score and pre-order the album HERE.

On scoring Gladiator II, Harry Gregson-Williams says: “My approach to the score for Gladiator II was to create music that embodied the spiritual essence of the original film whilst creating a fresh sound for Lucius and the other leading characters we encounter (such as Acacius – strong and bold – and Macrinus – scheming and calculating). Thematically, Lucius needed a very versatile melody – he is the center of the film, and his love, leadership, rage and need for vengeance all had to be reflected in his music. Beyond the large orchestra and choirs that this epic tale called for, I felt the need to employ some unique instrumentation to help shape the storytelling. Whether it was the sliding, discomforting strings of a baritone violin or electric cello to represent Macrinus’ scheming and plotting, or the primitive horns that helped place us back in Ancient Rome, special instrumentation helped bring a sense of uniqueness to these characters and places. From specially recorded vocals representing the Numidian fighters, to the esoteric and otherwordly vocals of Lisa Gerrard, all of these different unique sounds and colors were necessary to tell Lucius’ story.”

In order to create the sound world of Gladiator II, Gregson-Williams took a truly international approach; working with musicians from around the world to bring his extraordinary score to life. Having initially penned the main musical themes at his studio in Los Angeles, the composer then traveled to northern Spain to record some unusual historic instruments (such as the Carnyx and Iberian Horn) with performer Abraham Cupeiro, to bring the sound of Ancient Rome to life. In other parts of Europe he recorded soloists including singers Lisa Gerrard, Grace Davidson, Lior Attar, Antonio Lizana, Ejigayehu ‘Gigi’ Shibabaw, and Ayo Adeyemi, as well as instrumentalists Richard Harvey (Ney and Ancient Flutes), Hugh Marsh (electric violin), Martin Tillman (electric cello), Hamid Saeidi (Kantele/Santur) and Loga Ramin Torkian (GuitarViol).

Gregson-Williams returned to his native UK to record the main score with a huge orchestra, the leading independent UK chorus The Bach Choir, and the internationally renowned Viol Consort Fretwork at Abbey Road Studios – where he has recorded many scores before (including those for the The Martian, Shrek and The Chronicles of Narnia). During the session, which Gregson-Williams was conducting, Hans Zimmer appeared via video link to hear the new score being performed.

Now almost 25 years old, Zimmer’s original Gladiator score continues to be one of the most beloved and enduring soundtracks. The lead song “Now We Are Free” makes a reappearance in the new film and on the soundtrack – providing the ideal connection between both musical worlds.

Harry Gregson-Williams brings his unique compositional voice to Gladiator II – embracing the epic moments on screen with monumental musical forces, whilst also accompanying intimate moments with beautiful harmonies – this is a score which provides a stirring counterpart to Ridley Scott’s remarkable new movie. Gladiator II marks the seventh collaboration between Gregson-Williams and Ridley Scott with Gregson-Williams writing original scores for The Martian, Kingdom of Heaven, The Last Duel and House of Gucci and themes for Prometheus and Exodus: Gods and Kings.

Gladiator II: Music From The Motion Picture, is set to release on November 15, 2024. Pre-order the album via Decca Records US, HERE. Gladiator II is in theaters internationally on November 15, with the US and Canada following on November 22.

Gladiator II — Tracklisting:

1. GLADIATOR II OVERTURE

2. LUCIUS, ARISHAT AND THE ROMAN INVASION

3. I’LL WAIT FOR YOU

4. OSTIA

5. ANGRY BABOONS

6. STRENGTH AND HONOR

7. ACACIUS RETURNS

8. CITY OF ROME

9. DEFIANCE

10. I SEE HIM IN YOU

11. ACACIUS IN THE COLOSSEUM

12. LET THE GODS DECIDE

13. MACRINUS’ PLAN

14. I NEED YOU TO DO THIS

15. SMOOTH IS THE DESCENT

16. NOW THAT I HAVE FOUND YOU

17. ECHOES IN ETERNITY

18. WAR, REAL WAR

19. THE DREAM IS LOST

20. NOW WE ARE FREE