Anticipated new "Gladiator" film reunites star-studded cast

"Gladiator" returns nearly a quarter-century after the 2000 version featuring Russell Crowe took theatres by storm. The original film made $100 million, grossed over $460 million and became the second-highest-grossing movie of that year. It also won five major film industry awards. Fans have long waited for Ridley Scott to revisit this iconic project.

The action of the new movie takes place 24 years after the events of the first "Gladiator." This time, Lucius Verus takes centre stage. Portrayed by Paul Mescal, Lucius is the titular gladiator who follows in the footsteps of Maximus (Russell Crowe). As the heir to the Roman Empire's throne, Lucius has been living in seclusion for years. Eventually, he must return to the capital to face his legacy. The movie also features Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, and Joseph Quinn.

Paul Mescal is currently on the rise. Following the success of "Aftersun" and the series "Normal People", Scott cast him in a film that is expected to be a box office hit this fall. The interest in the new "Gladiator" is already immense, fueled further by its star-studded cast.

Pedro Pascal recently posted a photo from the makeup room on his Instagram account. The picture shows his younger co-star, Paul, in costume, though not covering much. Mescal grins widely with a bare chest and arms, bringing fans excitement in the comments section. It's no wonder—Mescal looks in peak form.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that the "Gladiator 2" trailer garnered nearly 250 million views across various platforms worldwide within a few days, marking the best result this year. This suggests that Scott's film is a highly anticipated sequel to the hit from 24 years ago. The "Gladiator 2" premiere is November 22, 2024.