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Like&subscribe 🥳🙏👍💖Gladiator II is an upcoming epic historical drama film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), the film was written by David Scarpa, from a story he wrote with Peter Craig, and stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. It was produced by Scott Free Productions in association with Red Wagon Entertainment for Paramount Pictures. The story follows Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army, led by general Marcus Acacius, during the reign of co-emperors Caracalla and Geta. Gladiator II Teaser poster Directed by Ridley Scott Screenplay by David Scarpa Story by Peter Craig David Scarpa Produced by Ridley Scott Michael Pruss Douglas Wick Lucy Fisher Walter F. Parkes Laurie MacDonald David Franzoni Starring Paul Mescal Pedro Pascal Connie Nielsen Denzel Washington Cinematography John Mathieson Edited by Claire Simpson Sam Restivo Music by Harry Gregson-Williams Production companies Scott Free Productions Red Wagon Entertainment P M Image Nation Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release dates November 15, 2024 (United Kingdom) November 22, 2024 (United States) Countries United States United Kingdom Language English Budget $250–310 million[1] A sequel to Gladiator was discussed as early as June 2001, with David Franzoni and John Logan set to return as screenwriters. Over the next few years, Scott offered occasional updates, including the possible involvement of the original film's lead actor, Russell Crowe, along with plot ideas about the Roman afterlife and different historical time periods. Development was halted when DreamWorks sold the rights to the property to Paramount in 2006. The film was finally announced in 2018, and Mescal was cast in the lead role in January 2023, with a script by Scarpa. The rest of the cast signed on over the next several months. Filming took place between June 2023 and January 2024, with a five-month hiatus due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes (including the 2023 actors strike). Premise edit Over two decades after the original events of Gladiator (2000), Lucius—the grandson of Rome's former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla—lives with his wife and child in Numidia. Roman soldiers led by general Marcus Acacius invade, forcing Lucius into slavery. Inspired by the story of Maximus, as depicted in the original 2000 film, Lucius resolves to fight as a gladiator while opposing the rule of the young emperors Caracalla and Geta.[2] Cast edit Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Empire. According to Ridley Scott, since Lucius was last seen approximately 15 years ago, he has been living “in the wilderness“ and has had no connection with his mother, who thinks he might be dead.[3] He lives with his wife and child in a coastal town in Numidia. He is taken prisoner by the Roman army and is forced to fight as a gladiator.[2] Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a Roman general who trained under Maximus (the main character in Gladiator). He leads an army to take over North Africa. According to Pascal, he is “a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer“, and is a symbol to Lucius of everything he hates.[2] Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius. She associates with Acacius and watches Lucius fight in the arena, but does not recognize him as her son.[2] Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a power broker who keeps a stable of gladiators. He works as an arms dealer and provides food and oil to the armies in Europe. Scott described him as “pretty fucking cruel“ to the arena fighters.[2] Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta. Despite comparisons with Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Commodus in the first film, Quinn did not feel he channeled Phoenix's performance, crediting Scott for wishing him to “play the chords louder and turn it up and go for the more brave or bold form“ of communication. He also credited Nielsen for helping him and the rest of the cast to not be nervous about the first film's legacy.[4] Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, the brother of Geta. The brothers threaten Lucilla's wellbeing to control Acacius. Scott described the pair as “damaged goods from birth“ who are “almost a replay of Romulus and Remus“.[2] Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate who opposes the growing corruption of the imperial court. May Calamawy as the wife of Lucius Verus Tim McInnerny as Thraex Alexander Karim as Ravi Rory McCann as Tegula Lior Raz, Peter Mensah and Matt Lucas appear in undisclosed roles.
