Gladiator II Is Escalating the Popcorn Bucket Arms Race

No trendy blockbuster is full with its very own popcorn bucket. It’s a pattern that’s been occurring for just a few years however rose to viral ranges when Dune: Part Two released one that, nicely, regarded like a intercourse toy. Since then, the popcorn bucket wars have taken theatergoers on all types of adventures and now the most recent one, for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, is including a complete new component.

Coming completely to Cinemark theaters, the Gladiator II popcorn bucket isn’t only a popcorn bucket formed just like the Roman Colosseum on the heart of the franchise. It additionally has an AR component that permits you to watch an precise battle occur contained in the Colosseum itself… simply hopefully not if you are nonetheless within the theater.

You’ll be able to watch a bit instance under from the Gladiator II social media account.

End the popcorn, scan the code, and let the video games start. Expertise your individual augmented actuality gladiator battle with the #GladiatorII Popcorn AR-ENA Bucket. Get yours at @Cinemark opening weekend and get tickets at the moment. pic.twitter.com/qINBIfJhg2

— Gladiator Film (@GladiatorMovie) October 22, 2024

So the thought right here is you order the Gladiator II popcorn bucket, end the popcorn, then after the film scan the AR code and watch the battle. Which, we now have to confess, shouldn’t be a nasty thought. It does promote telephone use with one thing you’ll be able to solely purchase by means of a movie show, which isn’t nice, however the thought of extending the story out of the theater is an effective one. Plus, when it comes to precise popcorn receptacles, the Colosseum is likely one of the better-shaped buckets but. Plus it’s decidedly asexual, which we are able to’t say about every popcorn bucket released this year.

Total although, what the 2024 popcorn bucket wars—with such movies as Dune: Half Two and Deadpool & Wolverine, but in addition Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Terrifier 3, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and others—have completed is given individuals one more reason to go to the flicks. Not solely do you get greater screeners and higher sound, however now you will get collectibles too and that’s a sensible add.

One factor which may stand out within the case of Gladiator II although is the subject material. All the opposite movies talked about under had been sci-fi, fantasy, and blockbuster fare. Gladiator II definitely has blockbuster potential however it’s far more of an awards-bait drama than the rest. Will audiences who present as much as see Gladiator II care about this popcorn bucket and even its AR evolution? Will they even know what AR is? It simply looks as if an odd pairing of forward-thinking with a secure sequel.

The Gladiator II popcorn bucket shall be accessible quickly. Hold an eye fixed on Cinemark’s social media. Gladiator II is in theaters on November 22.

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