Gladiator 2 first reactions – ‘Blown away’ by Ridley Scott’s Paul Mescal sequel | Films | Entertainment

It’s been 25 years since Sir Ridley Scott shot Gladiator, which went on to win five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.

And later this year Gladiator 2, set 15 years after the events of the original movie, hits cinemas.

The sequel follows a grown-up Lucius, the nephew of Commodus, who was saved by Maximus.

Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal stars as the older Lucius, originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in 2000’s Gladiator.

His character is now living “in the wilderness” with no connection to his mother Lucilla (played by a returning Connie Nielsen), who he thinks may be dead.

Gladiator 2 co-stars Denzel Washington as a former slave turned arms dealer, alongside Sir Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus and a returning Djimon Hounsou as Juba the former gladiator.

Having finished shooting the movie, Scott is about to start work on a Bee Gees biopic, as his swords and sandals epic enters post-production.

And according to an insider report, the first footage for the upcoming movie is utterly thrilling.

Deadline report: “Scott recently wrapped production on the sequel to his smash hit Gladiator and, according to sources, early footage has blown execs away. 

“He is known for finding his follow-up projects quickly, and once production wrapped last month the studio was quick to get the latest draft of the Bee Gees film in front before he found that next movie.”

Gladiator 2 hits cinemas on November 22, 2024.