Thousands of extras will be recruited for the sequel to the blockbuster Gladiator, with shooting in Malta expected to start in the beginning of summer.
After months of rumours about whether Malta will once again play host to Ridley Scott's gladiatorial epic, industry insiders confirmed the production for the film will start around June and the shoot will run for about four months.
"It's a once-in-a-generation production. This is going to be big," one source said.
The new film comes 23 years after the release of Gladiator that starred Russell Crowe as Maximus, a former general forced into becoming a gladiator under the rule of the self-appointed Roman emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix.
The film won the Oscar for best picture, and Crowe took home the prize for best actor.
More than two decades later, "thousands" of extras will be engaged for the filming of the sequel, especially to shoot the gladiator scenes.
The production will be largely shot at Fort Ricasoli, the large fortification in Kalkara, which also served as the main setting for the original film.
Preparations at Fort Ricasoli are already taking place, with large scaffolding being mounted. Sources said the production will be a "much bigger" one than the original 2000 film, and the tank facilities are also expected to be used for one of the battle scenes.