For years it felt as though Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel would be one of those films mentioned in the rumour pages of movie magazines, ultimately never to be made. However, with Ridley Scott confirming that a script was finished back in 2021 A.D., we’ve now moved closer to stepping foot back in the Coliseum with the news that Aftersun‘s Paul Mescal is in talks to headline the sequel.
According to Deadline the Normal People star is in negotiations to play the lead role of Lucius, son of Maximus, who was embodied to Academy Award winning effect by Russell Crowe in the 2000 blockbuster.
Mescal is in demand following his turn in Charlotte Wells superb Aftersun (read our ★★★★★ review here), and was Emmy-nominated for his role in breakout drama Normal People.
Gladiator 2 will be set 25-30 years after the original and will follow Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen – who has confirmed that she will be making an appearance) and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s murderous Commodus.
Ridley Scott will once again return to the director’s chair for the Paramount sequel, hoping to replicate the success of Gladiator‘s 12 Academy Award nominations and $460 million at the worldwide box-office.
Are you more hopeful of being entertained now that Mescal has been cast in the lead, or do you think Ridley Scott should have kept his sandals locked away? Let us know by heading to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
