More often than not, sequels only take a few years to follow their predecessors, but it’s also increasingly common for sequels to take place decades later. Gladiator 2 falls into the latter category, with Ridley Scott’s original film released in 2000 and ending with Maximus Decimus Meridius. So of course Russell Crowe won’t be appearing in this tale, but it has been revealed that a key character will be returning and the production is also preparing a Stranger Things star.
First, Connie Nielsen closed her deal to reprise Lucilla Gladiator 2. In the original film, along with the lover of Maximus and sister of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, she was also the mother of Lucius Verus, who at the time was played by Spencer Treat Clark. With Lucious now being played by Paul Meskal and serving as the main protagonist of the sequel, it makes sense that Nielsen would be brought back. In recent years, Nielsen has portrayed Queen Hippolyta in various DC films and starred opposite Bob Odenkirk in You doand her other upcoming movies include Role game and Social class.
Deadline also shared that Joseph Quinn, who introduced his performance as Eddie Munson Stranger Things Season 4 last year (which you can watch/revisit with a Netflix subscription), is in negotiations to play Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator 2. Quinn’s other credits include; Game of Thrones, Les Misérables (the 2018 miniseries) and Rulerand will appear next year A Quiet Place: Day Onewhich just premiered exclusive footage at CinemaCon.
Connie Nielsen and (hopefully) Joseph Quinn join a cast that also includes Eternal ones and The Banshees of InisherinBarry Keoghan, as well as reuniting Denzel Washington with Ridley Scott, as they have worked together before American gangster. While Keoghan is expected to play Publius Septimius Geta, who co-ruled the Roman Empire with his brother Caracalla from 209-211 AD, it has not yet been revealed who Washington is portraying. Although no specific plot details have been officially revealed, Russell Crowe has said that it will tell the story of Lucius Vero becoming the emperor of Rome.
With Ridley Scott once again in the director’s chair, David Scarpa wrote the screenplay, and the sequel also brings back the behind-the-scenes Gladiator vet John Mathieson as cinematographer, Arthur Max as production designer and Janty Yates as costume designer. Gladiator was a huge hit in 2000, catapulting Russell Crowe to worldwide fame and earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. In addition, it won Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects, and was nominated in seven other categories. Yes or No Gladiator 2 whether it will reach such critically acclaimed heights remains to be seen, but so far the cast is shaping up nicely.
Gladiator 2 scheduled to hit theaters on November 22, 2024. If you want to watch it Gladiator, can currently be streamed if you subscribe to Paramount+ with a Showtime add-on. If you’re curious about the feature films coming out later this year, then check out the lineup of new 2023 movies.
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