Paul Mescal to Lead ‘Gladiator 2’

Deadline has reported that Paul Mescal (who Joey interviewed recently here) will be leading Gladiator 2 for Paramount Pictures. According to the report, Mescal will not be playing a younger version of Russell Crowe‘s Maximus, but Lucilla’s (Connie Nielsen) son, Lucius. It’s unclear if Nielsen, or any of the original cast, will be reprising their roles in the sequel.

Ridley Scott, who directed the first installment, is expected to return in the director’s chair, with a script written by David Scarpa. Costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max, who also collaborated on the first film, will also return for the sequel. Scott will also be producing the film with Michael Pruss, Doug Wick, and Lucy Fisher.

This will be Mescal’s first blockbuster leading role, as he is best known for starring in Normal People and has received recent praise for his performance in Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun. No other details are currently known about the movie, but it’s likely that it will be Scott’s next project after Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix, which will release on Apple TV+ later this year.

Source: Deadline