Ridley Scott To Direct 'Gladiator' Sequel With Paul Mescal

Didn't see that Peter Mensah joined the cast. Now it's not just a Gladiator sequel but almost a Spartacus sequel, too.

Gladiator - The Next Generation

Not sure if it needs a sequel. That said, Matt Lucas? I may have to see it....

Paramount has picked up May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas for their untitled Gladiator sequel. In talks to join the cast is Fred Hechinger, who is in negotiations to play Emperor Geta. Barry Keoghan was in talks to play Geta, but due to scheduling conflicts, was forced to fall out of the project.

Derek Jacobi is returning from the original, reprising his role as Gracchus. Connie Nielsen will be reprising her role as Lucilla.

Source: Deadline

As a general 'film set during the era of the Roman Empire', there's potential for an interesting story, Scott is a great director (if not always consistent) and Denzel is a great actor, so I don't doubt it could well be a very good film. Just please keep the 'Gladiator II' name far, *far* away from it so it can stand on it's own...

Sources from within have informed Deadline that 'The Last Of Us' and 'The Mandalorian' star Pedro Pascal is in final negotiations to join the untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount. Pascal will be joining Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott is returning to direct and produce from a script by David Scarpa. Scott Free President Michael Pruss as well as Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment will also be producing. Also returning from the original film are John Mathieson (Director of Photography), Arthur Max (Production Designer), and Janty Yates (Costume Designer).

Paramount Pictures has the movie scheduled for a November 22nd, 2024 release.

There are some VERY interesting ways this could go with Washington in a role. Given the star power and gravitas he always brings to roles....he's not going to be a background character. I'm here for it.

Let's keep this discussion on topic, folks.

On 1/6/2023 at 4:22 PM, Reno said:

Of course I've vowed to never watch another Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese project ever again due to their commentary on comic book movies and the MCU in particular, so I guess that it doesn't really impact me anyway.

This has to be the saddest thing thing I've read all week. For f***'s sake. And, to hell with the MCU. It's turned into pure garbage, so it deserves any disrespect it has thrown at it.

Sources from within have informed Deadline that after 16 years, Denzel Washington might be reuniting with Ridley Scott and is in final negotiations to co-star in Scotts sequel to his Oscar Best Picture winner Gladiator for Paramount. Washington and Scott last worked together on the crime drama American Gangster.

Washingtons role is being kept under wraps.

46 minutes ago, Reno said:

Why?!? As a general rule, if a movie has been out for more than 10 years it probably doesn't need a direct sequel. Why not just do an original film with no tie to the first? Of course I've vowed to never watch another Ridley Scott, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese project ever again due to their commentary on comic book movies and the MCU in particular, so I guess that it doesn't really impact me anyway.

Sure, but remember that losing rights to a license hurts more, so it's a more devastating leap if you don't do anything with the franchise than do a forgettable sequel/remake/whatever. Probably it was near expiration when others could get the rights period.