The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. The hit film that got a sequel. Yes, as per the Hollywood Reporter, Normal People star Paul Mescal is in negotiations to lead the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 hit film, Gladiator.
After more than twenty years, looks like Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 is finally starting to make some noise. The sequel, which will center on Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), is expected to start filming late this year, looking at a 2024 release date. Playing the lead role of a grown-up Lucius, played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original, will be a big step up for Mescal, who arrived on the scene in the Hulu series Normal People, earning a BAFTA and an Emmy nod.
There can be no doubt the 2000 film was a huge hit both commercially and critically, earning $460 million at the box office, a lot for the time, and earning eleven Oscar nominations, winning five. After winning the best actor trophy, it turned the film’s lead, Russell Crowe, into an international superstar. Could it do the same for Mescal?
So, what do you think? Do like this casting choice? Do you think a sequel should even be made after such a long time? Let us know!
