After years of speculation and false starts, the long-awaited sequel to Gladiator is finally set to arrive this year, promising to be a worthy continuation of the beloved original. Directed by Ridley Scott and penned by David Scarpa, Gladiator 2 will pick up where the critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning first film left off, sans Russell Crowe's character Maximus, who met his demise in the previous installment. Instead, the sequel will be led by Paul Mescal, known for his role in Aftersun, portraying Lucius Verus, the son of Connie Nielsen's Lucilla and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus.
Struck Gold (Twice?): According to Deadline, Ridley Scott has found repeat gold with Gladiator as studio executives were blown away after seeing early footage. "Scott recently wrapped production on the sequel to his smash hit Gladiator and, according to sources, early footage has blown execs away," the report claims.
Production Level: “I have not been on a set as impressive” said Pedro Pascal, star of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2. This is a bold statement coming from someone who has starred in mega-hits like Star Wars’ The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, Wonder Woman 1984, Game of Thrones
Star-Power: Paul Mescal as the lead, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, and Hollywood icon Denzel Washington as a former slave-turned-wealthy arms dealer.
Baboon Battle?: Paul Mescal confirmed that his character fights a pack of baboons. "Well, Ridley said that I fight baboons, so I’m not going to get in trouble for that. So yeah! Unless it’s on the cutting room floor," he shared.
Watch the Gladiator 2 trailer below:
Gladiator 2 will be released on November 22, 2024.