The 2000 historical epic film ‘Gladiator‘, directed by Ridley Scott, was both a critical and commercial success at the box office. Starring Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed brutally when Commodus, the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne.
The movie then becomes Maximus’ revenge against the tyrant emperor, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Gladiator won multiple Academy Awards and grossed over $450 million at the worldwide box office. Now two and a half decades later, The ‘Gladiator 2‘ will be coming later this year with Ridley Scott at the helm again.
‘Gladiator 2’ To Have A New Cast And Characters
The Gladiator 2 has a star-studded cast with many renowned actors onboard with the project. The sequel will see actor Paul Mescal take the lead role of Lucius. In the first movie, Lucius was Lucilla and Lucius Verus’ son, also the nephew to the antagonist of the first movie, Commodus.
Apart from Paul Mescal, the cast also has Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, Denzel Washington as Macrinus and Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, just to name a few. What is to be noted is that the antagonist of the first movie, Maximus played by Russell Crowe won’t be returning since his death at the end of the first movie (Spoiler alert).
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Plot And Release Date
With Commodus and Maximus, the antagonist and protagonist of the first movie both dead, the sequel will be looking to pick it up freshly with a new lead which will be Lucius Verus portrayed by Paul Mescal.
Lucius Verus is said to be a character who looks up to the late Maximus and it is best to figure that the sequel will be more or less based on Lucius trying to follow his idol’s footsteps.
The movie wrapped up its filming earlier this year and is set for a worldwide theatrical release on November 22, 2024.
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