After more than two decades, the thought of Ridley Scott making a Gladiator sequel still seems hard to believe. It’s not like the Best Picture winner set itself up for a sequel. Plus, you know, its titular character DIED at the end. That’s not exactly the type of movie you imagine getting a second installment. But Gladiator 2 is definitely happening. We know for sure because Vanity Fair has released the first images from the film. The Gladiator 2 first-look photos feature stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen fighting to save a decaying Rome from its worst leaders.
They look so good that we’re truly excited to see what happened after Maximus gave his life to give Rome back to the people.
Get your best sword and sandals out, because it’s time to return to the Colosseum. Paramount Pictures’ long-developing sequel is officially ready to enter the arena.
Pedro Pascal is Marcus Acacius in ‘Gladiator II,’ a Roman general said to have trained under Russell Crowe’s Maximus.
Acacius “learned from the best,” says Pascal, ”so of course this code of honor is ingrained into his training.”
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— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
Director Ridley Scott decided to pursue Paul Mescal for ‘Gladiator II’ after watching his performance in ‘Normal People’: “Watching a TV show that's not really my kind of TV show almost four years ago I said, ‘Who's this guy?’”
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— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
Paul Mescal on being cast in ‘Gladiator II’:
“My nose just is kind of Roman. So it’s useful in this context. The nose that I absolutely hated when I was in secondary school—and used to get ribbed for—became very, very useful when Ridley needed somebody to be in ‘Gladiator II.’”…
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla in ‘Gladiator II,’ and speaks to VF about Russell Crowe’s past remarks about the original ‘Gladiator’ script: “I remember that he definitely had some thoughts and feelings.”
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— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
But be warned if you love Joseph Quinn with dark hair. The Stranger Things alum is blonde now.
Anti-warning: Denzel Washington is already the coolest ancient Roman ever.
Hopefully these photos indicate a full Gladiator 2 trailer is on the horizon. It’s not as though we have to wait much longer for the movie anyway.
What Is the Release Date for Gladiator 2?
Gladiator 2 takes a chariot into theaters this fall on November 22, 2024.
