First look at Gladiator 2 as trailer reveals Paul Mescal battling Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott's epic sequel

Virgin Radio

9 Jul 2024, 14:32

Get ready for a new chapter of Roman carnage as Paramount Pictures drops the trailer for Ridley Scott's highly anticipated Gladiator 2.

The arena is heating up once again! Paramount Pictures has unleashed the official trailer for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, and it promises to be a spectacle of epic proportions.

Starring Paul Mescal -who received an Oscar nomination in 2022 for Aftersun - as the all-grown-up Lucius, this sequel is set to bring more power, intrigue, and vengeance to the blood-soaked sands of Ancient Rome.

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For those who need a refresher, Lucius is the son of Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of the notorious Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix’s memorable villain from the original film.

Back in 2000, Lucius was just a child, portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark.

Fast forward a few years, and Lucius is now living in Numidia, North Africa, where his mother sent him to keep him out of the Empire’s reach.

But, as fate would have it, events soon drag Lucius back to Rome, and, you guessed it, straight into the gladiatorial arena!

The official synopsis teases: "From legendary director Ridley Scott, 'Gladiator 2' continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

"With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honour to return the glory of Rome to its people."

Joining Mescal in this star-studded cast are Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a seasoned Roman general trained by none other than Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), and Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a wealthy powerbroker in Rome with a stable of gladiators.

In the trailer Mescal is asked, “Where were you born?” by Washington’s character Macrinus as he responds, “I don’t know, I never knew a mother nor a father.”

Subsequent scenes show the colosseum, flashbacks and the Emperor and his allies strategising.

Check it out here:

We also have Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger playing the twin emperors of Rome, proving that double trouble is very much on the horizon.

Ridley Scott, the mastermind behind the original Gladiator, told Vanity Fair that he became a fan of Mescal’s after watching his breakout performance in Normal People.

Scott needed only a half-hour chat to decide that Mescal was his Lucius. And boy, did Mescal take the role seriously!

He bulked up so much for the film that co-star Pascal nicknamed him 'Brick Wall Paul.'

Pascal humorously admitted: “He got so strong. I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again.

"To go up against somebody that fit and that talented and that much younger…It’s brutal, man.”

Joseph Quinn, known for his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, also had high praise for the film. “I’ve seen little moments of footage. And it looks like everything that you could possibly want,” he said.

“It’s paying homage to the first film, but very much making its own thing. There’s some fantastic performances in it, and I’m very much looking forward to people seeing it.”

And what about our original hero, Russell Crowe? Speaking on The Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio, Crowe confirmed he wouldn't be returning but wished Mescal “the best of luck.”

He explained: “I’m sure at some point in time they’ll want to ask me about something, but they haven’t brought anything up in a while.

"It’s an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus’ passing, so it doesn’t really involve me at all. That young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it.”

With a score by Hans Zimmer, who was nominated for his work on the original, and the promise of heart-pounding action, Gladiator 2 is set to take us back to the glory days of Rome.

So, mark your calendars and prepare to chant: “Are you not entertained?” because this sequel is about to make history!

Gladiator 2 is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 15th November 2024.