Casting, storyline, release date, images, everything you need to know about the sequel to the cult film

CINEMA – A worthy successor to Ridley Scott’s Maximus played by Russell Crowe. Two photos from the filming of Gladiator 2 leaked to the specialized press on Thursday, June 11, on social networks. We can see Paul Mescal, who will play the character of Lucius, in a gladiator breastplate.

While the filming of the main scenes of the film, which took place in Morocco, ended in January 2024, these two photos are from a shoot which took place, a posteriori, in the south of England , according to Screen rant. Behind the camera, we will find Ridley Scott who directed the cult 2000 film with Joaquin Phoenix, Russell Crowe and Connie Nielsen.

Lucius, at the center of the “Gladiator 2” storyline

The detailed synopsis of Gladiator 2, which is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2024, is not yet known. Ridley Scott, however, revealed in an interview with the magazine Total Film that Lucius is indeed the son of Lucilla and Maximus and that the fruit of this union is the reason why the film was made.

In this new opus, which is the direct sequel to Gladiatoraround twenty years after the events which made the legend of Maximus, Lucius will be at the center of power games and conflicts in a Rome torn apart by the fratricidal confrontation of the two co-emperors Caracalla and Geta.

First images of Paul Mescal in his armor

The breastplate worn by Lucius appears to be the same as that of Maximus. The black bib is recognizable by the two horses it displays. During the first film, Maximus introduces him to Lucius as he prepares to fight in the Colosseum arena. During this first meeting between the two characters, Maximus explains to him that the two horses presented on his breastplate are Scatto and Argento, the horses that were taken from him during his reduction into slavery.

Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal in the cast

Ridley Scott has summoned a choice cast to accompany Paul Mescal. Connie Nielsen will reprise the role of Lucilla. Joseph Quinn, revealed thanks to his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Thingsalso joined the adventure Gladiator 2. The actor would have been hired for the role of the big bad, Emperor Caracalla. Derek Jacobi, 85, will don the Gracchus costume again.

The film’s director, Ridley Scott, also recruited actors Denzel Washington, May Calamay, Lior Raz and the star of the series MandalorianPedro Pascal for roles that have not yet been revealed.

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