Gladiator II’s official trailer is here – and it’s proof that its lead actor Paul Mescal has come a long way since his breakout role in the hit TV series Normal People.
On July 9 Paramount released the first poster for the sequel to director Ridley Scott’s original 2000 film, which made an international megastar – and, dare we say it, heartthrob – out of Russell Crowe.
And if the poster for the new version is anything to go by, it looks like Gladiator II – which will be directed once again by Scott – has all the blood, sweat, dust and muscles of its predecessor.
Mescal has certainly bulked up for the role, showing off his pumped biceps as he kneels down in gladiatorial armour.
In the film, he’s joined by an equally buff-looking Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, White Lotus actor Fred Hechinger and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn.
Noting Mescal’s impressive bulk-up for the role, co-star Pedro Pascal jokingly said he now called the actor ‘Brick Wall Paul.’
“He got so strong,” Pascal said. “I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again.”
Gladiator II picks up in the years after Russell Crowe’s Maximus loses his life in his attempt to upend the leadership of the Roman Empire.
Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Maximus’ love Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen, who also starred in the original movie).
Scott said he decided to pursue Mescal for the role after seeing his work in Normal People.
“Watching a TV show that’s not really my kind of TV show almost four years ago, I said, who’s this guy?” Scott revealed.
Pascal plays opposite Mescal as Marcus Acacius, a Roman general said to have trained under Crowe’s Maximus from the 2000 film.
Acacius is a fighter who “earned from the best,” Pascal said.
“So of course this code of honour is ingrained into his training and into his existence.”
For Mescal, Gladiator II is about “what human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win.”
What has Paul Mescal said about Gladiator II?
And in a surprise reveal, self-deprecatingly, the Irish star recently quipped to Vanity Fair that his nose had helped secure him the role of Lucius.
“My nose is just kind of Roman,” he said.
“The nose that I absolutely hated when I was in secondary school and used to get ribbed for, became very, very useful when Ridley needed somebody to be in Gladiator II.”
After a Zoom meeting with Mescal, Scott knew he’d found his man.
“I met with him and he said, ‘Of course, I’d love to do it’. And that was it,” Scott recalled. “We were away and running with the ball. He was a special find. He was absolutely perfect.”
Gladiator II release date
Gladiator II is set for release on November 14, 2024.
Who is in the cast of Gladiator II?
In the upcoming Gladiator movie, audiences can look forward to a star-studded cast led by Paul Mescal, who will portray Lucius. Joining him is Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, and Connie Nielsen will reprise her role as Lucilla. Joseph Quinn steps into the role of Emperor Geta, while Denzel Washington takes on the character of Macrinus. Rounding out the main cast is Fred Hechinger, who will play Emperor Caracalla.
Will Maximus be in Gladiator II?
“I’m slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one — because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done,” Crowe said on the Kyle Meredith With… podcast last year referring to his character Maximus Decimus Meridius dying in the original.
The Aussie actor was big enough to admit that what is making him uncomfortable comes down to one basic instinct: jealousy.
“This is just me being purely honest: there’s definitely a tinge of melancholy, a tinge of jealousy.” He then quipped, “I remember when I had tendons.”
At this stage, it is not believed that Crowe will make an appearance. But fingers crossed for a flashback scene or a small cameo!
Is Gladiator based on a true story?
Although the original film has roots in historical events, Crowe’s Maximus was not a real person.
Maximus’ storyline in the original film was invented purely for the movie, but of course the brutality of the gladiatorial arena was real, as were the emperors Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris) and Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix)
While Scott hired historians to advise on the 2000 film, in the 24 years since its release it’s been lauded as a wonderful piece of entertainment – and lambasted for its numerous historical inaccuracies.
Where to watch Gladiator II
At this stage, Gladiator II is slated for a cinematic release. We’ll keep you updated when we learn any new information on when it will be available to stream. In th meantime you can watch the original Gladiator movie on Binge.
The original Gladiator is currently available to stream on Binge
