The release of the trailer for Gladiator II has sparked controversy among fans due to the unexpected use of Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'No Church in the Wild' as the soundtrack, deviating from traditional epic movie scores. While some defend the choice, citing parallels to historical inaccuracies in the original Gladiator trailer, many criticize the rap song as unfitting for a film set in ancient Rome and express disappointment in the artistic decision. The trailer features Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, stepping into the legacy of Maximus, played by Russell Crowe in the original. Ridley Scott's sequel also includes renowned actors like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, setting high expectations despite the divisive soundtrack selection.