Moviefone Editorial

Tag: john-mathieson

  • Pedro Pascal to Appear in ‘Gladiator 2’

    Pedro Pascal in 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.'
    Pedro Pascal in ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.’ Photo: Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate.

    Like a general assembling an army, Ridley Scott has been busy gathering the acting troops he needs for his ‘Gladiator’ sequel. And the latest recruit is someone who already has quite the pop cultural cache. Pedro Pascal, currently best known for ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Last of Us’, is now aboard the movie.

    He’s just the latest name to sign up for the much anticipated (and long gestating) epic, which will continue the story Scott began in the 2000 original, albeit with a different character.

    CJVuNFCKxFBq4IsG555O72

    What do we know about the ‘Gladiator’ sequel so far?

    The original, of course, told the story of Roman General Maximus (played by Russell Crowe), betrayed by his rulers and thrown into life as a gladiator. But even as he fights for his life, he ends up getting revenge on those who wronged him.

    As for the sequel, it’ll shift the story forward to focus on Lucius.

    He, you may recall, was the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, who is returning for the sequel) 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.

    ‘Aftersun’s Paul Mescal is starring as the adult Lucius, while ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’s Barry Keoghan, meanwhile, is 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.

    And that’s without mentioning the other big star draw for the new movie –– ‘Gladiator 2’ also marks Scott’s reunion with ‘American Gangster’s Denzel Washington, though again his role is being kept quiet beyond it being described as “bad-ass”.

    Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in 'Stranger Things.'
    Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in ‘Stranger Things.’ Photo Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

    Related Article: Connie Nielsen to Return as Lucilla For Ridley Scott’s Gladiator Sequel

    More recently, ‘Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn also joined the movie in an unknown role, and Djimon Hounsou is expected to return as Juba, a gladiator who befriended Maximus.

    As for Pascal? His part, according to Deadline, remains a mystery for now. But we are wary of him being anywhere near arenas of conflict after what happened to his character Oberyn Martell in ‘Game of Thrones’. We won’t go into major spoilers in case you’re still catching up on the show (even if it finished in 2019, but to sum up… ouch).

    Scott has the original movie’s costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max, along with cinematographer John Mathieson, and the cameras are rolling.

    Paramount is aiming to have this on in theaters on November 22nd, 2024.

    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.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Gladiator:’

    Buy Pedro Pascal Movies On Amazon

     

  • Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn Join ‘Gladiator 2’

    Connie Nielsen in 'Gladiator' and Joseph Quinn in 'Stranger Things.'
    (Left) Connie Nielsen in ‘Gladiator.’ Courtesy of Paramount Movies YouTUbe Channel. (Right) Joseph Quinn in ‘Stranger Things.’ Photo Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

    Ridley Scott’s plans for his ‘Gladiator’ follow-up just keep getting more and more interesting. Especially in terms of the casting, which is blending rising stars with established names.

    And the latest update? Deadline reports that Connie Nielsen is heading back to Ancient Rome to reprise the role of Lucilla, while ‘Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn is joining her to play a character new to the story, that of Caracalla.

    The original film, of course, followed Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe), who is betrayed by the sniveling, corrupt Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and ends up in the gladiatorial games, from where he plots his revenge for the murder of his family.

    CJVuNFCKxFBq4IsG555O72

    What is the story of ‘Gladiator 2’?

    Little is known about the plot for the movie so far as Scott is keeping his cards close to his chest.

    But here’s what we know so far…

    Crowe has already said he’s not in the new movie, and that makes sense: short of CG-enhanced flashbacks, it’s unlikely, since the character died in the original and went to a lush heavenly zone to reunite with his slaughtered family The story, instead, spins the clock forward a few years and follows ‘Aftersun’ star Paul Mescal as Lucius.

    He, you may recall, was the son of Lucilla and the nephew of Commodus, 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.

    ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’s Barry 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.

    Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in 'Stranger Things.'
    (L to R) Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in ‘Stranger Things.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

    As for Quinn’s character, he’s a mystery for now, so we don’t know if he’ll be a heroic leader or a villainous schemer. Or both!

    And that’s without mentioning the other big star draw for the new movie –– ‘Gladiator 2’ also marks Scott’s reunion with ‘American Gangster’s Denzel Washington, though again his role is being kept quiet beyond it being described as “bad-ass”. Seems fitting…

    Scott has the original movie’s costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max, along with cinematographer John Mathieson. Filming should be kicking off shortly, if it hasn’t already –– after all, the director probably has three more movies lined up to make this year on his current prolific run.

    He already has ‘Napoleon’ (coincidentally starring Joaquin Phoenix) due in theaters on November 22nd ahead of streaming on Apple TV+.

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

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Gladiator:’

    Buy Connie Nielsen Movies On Amazon