It’s been over two decades, with years of speculation and delays and a long development process that, at one time or another, had names like John Logan (“Gladiator,” “The Last Samurai, “Penny Dreadful”), singer Nick Cave, and actors Chris Hemsworth and Barry Keoghan attached. As well as story ideas that ranged from prequel to resurrection to depictions of the afterlife. But “Gladiator II,” the sequel to the 2000 choice for Best Picture “Gladiator,” which starred Oscar winner Russell Crowe, is finally arriving in November, surprisingly with little fanfare despite a whopping $315 million budget. But that may change as summer stretches on.
The all-star cast includes up-and-comer Paul Mescal (“Normal People”), Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn (“Stranger Things”), Fred Hechinger (“The White Lotus”), May Calamawy (“Moon Knight”), Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi. Nielsen will be returning as her character Lucilla. While Jacobi will return as Senator Gracchus. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix will not return since their characters died in the first film. However, that hasn’t stopped Crowe from voicing his opinion on the sequel.
Behind the camera is Ridley Scott again as the director with a screenplay by David Scarpa, with whom he recently collaborated on “Napolean.” Returning from the original “Gladiator” are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max.
Taking place 20 years after the original, Mescal plays Lucius, nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus and son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla. Joseph Quinn will play co-emperor Geta, and Fred Hechinger will play co-emperor Caracalla. Meanwhile, Washington plays a former slave out for vengeance. The film is loosely based on a real-time period of the Roman Empire. Expect the return of the gladiator pit and political betrayal at every turn.
Synopsis:
From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
“Gladiator II” will be released by Paramount Pictures on November 22.