Moviefone Editorial

Tag: Gladiator sequel

  • Denzel Washington Joins ‘Gladiator 2’

    Denzel Washington in 'The Tragedy of Macbeth'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

    After years existing mostly as rumor about developments, Ridley Scott’s long-gestating sequel to 2000’s epic ‘Gladiator’ is turning into a truly exciting prospect because of the cast the director has been building.

    6076

    Chief among that cast, as revealed by Deadline today, is Denzel Washington, who has form with the director after playing real-life crime lord Frank Lucas in 2007’s ‘American Gangster’.

    There is no word yet on who Washington will be playing in the new film, but the picky performer apparently had his interested piqued by the script, which features a reportedly “bad-ass” role for the actor. A follow-up meeting with Scott helped convince him further, and Washington is now locking in the final details of his deal to co-star alongside Paul Mescal and other recent new recruit Barry Keoghan.

    Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator' (Photo by Karine Weinberger/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
    Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’ (Photo by Karine Weinberger/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

    How does the new movie follow ‘Gladiator’?

    While Maximus isn’t likely to show up –– short of CG-enhanced flashbacks since the character died in the original and went to a lush heavenly zone to reunite with his slaughtered family –– the story for the new movie, written by David Scarpa, follows Mescal as Lucius.

    He, you may recall, was the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who murdered his father and seized the throne. Commodus wound up in the gladiator ring with Maximus who, though mortally wounded, skewered the emperor before fading into the great. Maximus saved the Lucius and Lucilla while avenging his own family and left a strong impression on the young boy.

    Quite what Lucius is up to in the new film remains to be seen, but there’s a chance he’ll be ending up in the arena himself, especially since Mescal has reportedly been training for the role.

    Keoghan, meanwhile, is apparently playing the primary antagonist, Roman Emperor Geta (a fictional take on a real-life ruler). We can certainly see Keoghan as a Commodus-style troublemaker.

    Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan in the film 'The Banshees of Inisherin.'
    (L to R) Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan in the film ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ Photo by Jonathan Hession. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

    This is real progress for Scott, who is looking to work with both fresh talent and experienced performers (and behind the scenes, he’s recruited the original movie’s costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max).

    Both Mescal and Keoghan scored Oscar nominations this past year, Mescal for his nuanced take on a father in ‘Aftersun’, and Keoghan for his funny, sweet role in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’.

    Scott will need the top talent available, since ‘Gladiator’ is quite the classic to follow up. The first movie earned more than $460 million at the worldwide box office (back in the year 2000, don’t forget) and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning five including Best Actor for Russell Crowe and Best Picture.

    It also has a big following, with plenty of fans wondering what shape a sequel might take. We’ll find out on November 22nd, 2024, when it hits theaters.

    Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator.'
    (Right) Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Gladiator:’

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

     

  • Paul Mescal to Star in ‘Gladiator’ Sequel

    Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator.'
    (Right) Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator.’

    Ridley Scott is hoping you’ll be entertained all over again, as he’s now fully gearing up to make the sequel to 2000 epic ‘Gladiator’.

    It has been a long (Roman) road to a sequel, with chatter about it popping up from time to time through the years and mentions of scripts having been bashed out.

    The movie is much closer to happening now, with a current draft of the screenplay by David Scarpa, who previously wrote ‘All the Money in the World’ for the director.

    Scott, who seems to become more prolific as he ages, has most recently been working on a movie about ‘Napoleon,’ starring Joaquin Phoenix, has decided that the time and the script is right to revisit the world of ‘Gladiator’, and Irish actor Paul Mescal is reportedly his choice for the lead role.

    The original, as you may well know, starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a successful general in the Roman army who was betrayed by incoming Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) when the military man refused to swear allegiance to Commodus.

    Exiled, his family murdered, he ended up a gladiator, rising through the ranks in the area until he was able to confront Commodus himself. But––and spoiler alert for a nearly 23-year-old film––while he was able to kill the sneering Emperor, it came at the cost of his own life. Which means that Crowe won’t be showing up in the sequel unless he’s become some sort of advisory ghost.

    Paul Mescal from an exclusive interview with Moviefone for A24's 'God's Creatures.'
    Paul Mescal from an exclusive interview with Moviefone for A24’s ‘God’s Creatures.’

    According to Deadline, Mescal is now top choice to play Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who now is a grown man as the story takes place years after the first film ended. Lucius was also the nephew of Commodus (Phoenix), the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius ( who murdered his father seized the throne and wound up in the gladiator ring with Maximus — who, though mortally wounded, skewered the emperor before fading into the great beyond to reunite with his slain wife and son. Maximus saved the boy and his mother while avenging his own family and left a strong impression on the young Lucius.

    Mescal feels like a fine choice to play the grown Lucius, having shown the dramatic chops to carry a role such as this and the muscular physique the role might demand.

    And though he hasn’t gravitated towards big studio projects––since ‘Normal People’ sent his star rising, he’s also appeared in the likes of indie drama ‘God’s Creatures’––working with Scott is something few actors would turn down.

    Deadline’s report also includes mention that the actor had a great meeting with Scott about the role and though he was one of the first considered, he’s stuck in the director’s mind and a deal is now being hammered out for him to star.

    Scott will reunite with the first film’s costume designer, Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max. And while Universal and DreamWorks were behind the first film, Paramount is backing this one––though Universal has an option to jump aboard if the studio chooses.

    Paul Mescal as Brian O'Hara in A24's 'God's Creatures.'
    Paul Mescal as Brian O’Hara in A24’s ‘God’s Creatures.’
    KgWQ35Kb6hyF0yCUiPfxO4 2sHv36T1
  • ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Will Be Set 20-30 Years After Original

    ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Will Be Set 20-30 Years After Original

    DreamWorks/Universal

    Since the sequel to 2000’s “Gladiator” is coming 20 years after the Best Picture Oscar winner, it only makes sense that it will be set at least 20 years after Maximus (Russell Crowe) faced down Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) in the Coliseum.

    Producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald told HeyUGuys that the sequel is very much in the works: “It picks up the story 30 or 25 years later,” Parkes said, adding, “We’re working with Ridley [Scott]. That’s one we wouldn’t touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate. We’re working with an amazing writer as well, Peter Craig.”

    Craig just penned another long-delayed sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

    Per Deadline’s November 2018 article: “Gladiator 2” will follow the character of Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of power-mad Commodus, who was played in the original film by Spencer Treat Clark. Lucius looked up to Maximus as a lad (and witnessed his death), so for him to follow in his hero’s footsteps seems fitting.

    Clark is now 31 and could easily reprise the role, although it’s not clear if the producers are looking to hire someone else. Clark just reprised another role from 2000 in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Glass,” the sequel to “Unbreakable.”

    His other recent credits include the TNT series “Animal Kingdom,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.”

    Spencer Treat Clark in ‘Glass’ (Universal)

    [Via Slashfilm]

  • ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Now in Development, Led by Ridley Scott

    ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Now in Development, Led by Ridley Scott

    Russell Crowe in Gladiator
    DreamWorks Pictures

    Ridley Scott is ready for more “Gladiator.”

    The director of the multi-Academy Award-winning film has started developing a sequel, Deadline reports. He is looking to helm “Gladiator 2,” with Peter Craig (“12 Strong”) writing the script.

    The original film saw protagonist Maximus (Russell Crowe) meet a tragic end, as Deadline points out, so there will be a new lead character. The sequel will follow Lucius (played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original), who was the young boy Maximus saved during his quest for vengeance. Lucius was the son of the late co-emperor Lucius Verus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

    Scott has been talking about a “Gladiator” sequel for years now, and in fact, he previously said it might be possible to involve Crowe. “I know how to bring him back. … There is a way,” he told EW in March 2017.  So far, though, it doesn’t look like Crowe will return.

    Paramount is reportedly the studio behind the project, with Universal potentially co-financing. The original film’s distributor, DreamWorks, is not involved. Meanwhile, Scott is producing through his production company, Scott Free, alongside Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher of Red Wagon and Parkes + MacDonald’s Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald.

    The film does not yet have a release date.

    [via: Deadline]