The much-awaited sequel to veteran filmmaker Ridley Scott’s globally acclaimed historical drama ‘Gladiator’ is in the works. Things are now taking a more concrete shape as the 26-year-old Irish actor Paul Mescal is reportedly (via Deadline) in negotiations to star in the lead role.
The ‘Gladiator’ sequel will be directed by Ridley Scott himself and it will take place many years after the events shown in the first film featuring Russel Crowe as the warrior slave Maximus. In ‘Gladiator 2’, Paul Mescal will essay the lead role of Lucilla’s son Lucius and Commodus’s nephew. In the parent film, Lucius’s character was saved by Maximus and the incident left a lasting impact on the young boy.
Paul Mescal is known for his performance in the Irish romantic drama series ‘Normal People’ (2020), for which he was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy. Besides, he has also lent his acting skills for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s ‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021) and more recently, in the critically acclaimed drama ‘Aftersun’ (2022).
Paul Mescal’s body of work has even impressed the Oscar winning filmmaker Ridley Scott to such an extent that the actor became the director’s first choice for the coveted lead role in ‘Gladiator 2’. Other actors who were also ostensibly in contention were Austin Butler, Timothée Chalamet, Miles Teller and Richard Madden.
Ridley Scott is undoubtedly one of the most prolific directors of all time equipped with more than five decades of filmmaking experience. He is the man behind some cult and benchmark films like ‘Alien’, ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Black Hawk Down’, ‘Body of Lies’, ‘The Martian’, and of course the Oscar winner ‘Gladiator’.
News regarding the next ‘Gladiator’ movie has been doing the rounds since the release of the parent film in the year 2000. Eventually, in the year 2018, it was announced that the project is moving forward with Ridley Scott at the helm. Ridley Scott’s forthcoming film is ‘Napoleon’ – a film based on the French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte. It will reunite Ridley Scott with former collaborators Jodie Comer and Joaquin Phoenix. Stay tuned to Binged for the latest updates on ‘Gladiator 2’.