Gather the weapons and unleash the lions because Paramount is going back into the arena after giving Gladiator 2 a release date of November 22, 2024. Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Normal People, God’s Creatures) stars in the sequel to Ridley Scott’s action-drama, taking over the lead from Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the first film. Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who is fully grown in the sequel. The story takes place several years after Maximus’ death in the original. Before he died, Maximus rescued Lucius and his mother from the clutches of the young man’s uncle, Commodus (Phoenix). The event left an impression on Lucius, who aspires to be as formidable as Maximus as he braves a harsh world.
November 22 positions Gladiator 2 in a sweet spot ahead of the holiday rush. The sequel isn’t clashing with any marque releases, but things could (and usually do) change. Scott is directing and producing through Scott Free with Michael Pruss alongside Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher of Red Wagon Entertainment. David Scarpa (The Man in High Castle, All the Money in the World, The Day the Earth Stood Still) is writing the script.
If you loved the elaborate costumes in Gladiator, you should know that Janty Yates is returning for the sequel alongside Production Designer Arthur Max. According to Deadline, Scott began meeting with actors in November after Scarpa completed the script’s final draft. Mescal was one of the first actors to sit down with Scott; word has it, he made quite the impression. Scott continued meeting with actors for the coveted part. However, sources close to the project say Mescal was all but a lock from the jump. Mescal has the acting chops Scott is looking for and a physique that would have Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus giving a thumbs up.
Scott has wanted to make Gladiator 2 since the original was in theaters. Paramount swooped in to develop the film, but as things sometimes go in the movie industry, Gladiator 2 entered development hell. The details of Scott’s Gladiator sequel are so intricate we made a video about all the gory dealings for the JoBlo Network.
Will you make Gladiator 2 a part of your Thanksgiving holiday theater plan? Do you think Mescal’s Lucius will be as memorable as Crowe’s Maximus? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
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