Gladiator 2 is really happening, according to an exclusive report from Deadline that can confirm Paul Mescal is in negotiations to star in the sequel for Paramount as Lucius Verus, son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, now grown up following the events of the original 2000 blockbuster from Ridley Scott that ended with Roman-general-turned-gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russel Crowe) and Lucius’ false-emperor uncle, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), fighting to the death in a tense Colosseum match.
“Sources tell Deadline that Normal People star Paul Mescal is in negotiations to lead the Paramount sequel to the Oscar-winning pic, with Scott returning to the directing chair. Scott also will produce,” Deadline reported, adding that David Scarpa, whose writing credits include The Man in the High Castle and 2008’s The Day the Earth Stood Still remake with Keanu Reeves, was responsible for penning the script.
“Also returning from the original film are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max,” the publication added.
It’s unclear whether Maximus might return in the film, potentially in a flashback scene, but critics of Crowe are suggesting that’s probably for the best, with the actor being in a much different shape these days, as seen in recent features that include Thor: Love and Thunder and Unhinged, a 2020 thriller in which the actor stars as an unstable man who chases a woman after a road rage incident.
There also seems to be no indication yet as to whether Hans Zimmer, who composed the award-winning and fan-favorite score to 2000’s Gladiator, will return and do the same for its upcoming sequel from Ridley Scott.
According to the filmmaker’s IMDb page, Scott, 85, has at least 20 projects in the pipeline, including TV shows set in the Alien and Blade Runner franchises.
Discussion (10 replies)
Join Discussion →Ugh, why on earth...why???? Some movies, like this one, are really better off without having a sequel. See Donnie Darko -> S. Darko. S. Darko pretty much ruined Donnie Darko.
Is Hollywood really this creatively bankrupt that they need to make sequels that no one asked for, to movies that don't need them?
Come on guys mellenials need to connect with our movies. And ruin them. You know... for gen z.
There's no reason to make a sequel. The original movie was good and the story started and ended with that movie so there's no more to be told. If Maximus had lived it might have been a different story but even if he had lived there wasn't going to be an entertaining story to tell. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll cancel this sequel before they put anymore into it.
I had no f*cking idea there was a sequel to Donnie Darko! Who thought that movie needed a sequel?!
Maybe he gets revived as a cyborg, and now has to compete in gladiator games in the far future.
Count me as another one didn't know Donnie Darko had a sequel. I forgot that movie ( D Darko), but still remember it affected me a good amount emotionally. Also agree Gladiator doesn't need a sequel. Honestly what Hollywood needs is a sequel to using the same drugs they used in the 80s because whatevet they are doing now has them so lame and repetitive. I suppose the drug is too much money, risk adverse too much money.
The wheels on the hollywood money bus go round and round.
SIGH. Another worthless cash grab.
I can only say that doesn't apply to me because I didn't look half that good at 21.
21? He looks at least 35.
I believe he was 36 when Gladiator was made.
(I didn't make the meme)