Gladiator returns: Paul Mescal stars in the anticipated sequel

"Gladiator" returns nearly a quarter of a century after the 2000 version with Russell Crowe took theatres by storm. It was filmed for 135 million Canadian dollars and grossed over 620 million in theatres, becoming the second-highest-grossing movie of that year. The film won five major awards in the film industry. Yet, fans had to wait long for Ridley Scott to tackle this project again.

The action of the new movie takes 24 years (a clever move!) after the events of the first "Gladiator." This time, Lucius Verus will take the forefront. Paul Mescal portrays him, and he will be the titular gladiator following Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) footsteps. Lucius is the Roman Empire’s heir but has been living in seclusion for years. Eventually, he must return to the capital to face his legacy. The movie will also feature Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, and Joseph Quinn.

Paul Mescal is currently on the rise. After the successful movie "Aftersun" and the series "Normal People," he was cast by Scott in a film that will undoubtedly be a box-office hit this fall. The interest in the new "Gladiator" is already immense, fuelled by the stars themselves.

Pedro Pascal posted a photo from the makeup room on his Instagram account. It shows his younger colleague, Paul, in a costume, though not covering much. The smiling actor has a bare chest and arms and is grinning widely. Of course, fans in the comments section went wild with excitement, and it’s no wonder: Mescal looks more than reasonable.

The Hollywood Reporter says that the "Gladiator 2" trailer garnered nearly 250 million views on various platforms worldwide within a few days (the best result this year), suggesting that Scott’s film is a highly anticipated sequel to the hit from 24 years ago. The "Gladiator 2" premiere will be on November 22, 2024.