Not a lot is known about the upcoming “Gladiator” sequel short of the recent announcement that “Aftersun” and “Normal People” star Paul Mescal will lead the cast.
Mescal is tipped to play Lucius, the son of Connie Nelson’s Lucilla from the Ridley Scott-directed Oscar winner released in 2000. He beat out the likes of “Elvis” star Austin Butler, “Dune” star Timothee Chalamet, “Top Gun: Maverick” actor Miles Teller and former “Game of Thrones” alum Richard Madden who all auditioned for the role.
One person not expected to show up is Russell Crowe, the first film’s star who played the lead character of Maximus Decimus Meridius. In the first film, he’s a former general forced into becoming a gladiator under the rule of the self-appointed Roman Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
As his character dies at the end of the first film, and with the second set years later, his absence is understandable. Still, there could be room for a cameo (a CG-assisted dream or flashback) or some voice work right? Apparently not says Crowe during an appearance on the Australian radio show Fitzy and Wippa. Asked how involved he is in the sequel, Crowe said:
“Not at all… I know roughly how [Scott]’s shaping the story. But yeah, you remember, there was a young kid who wanted to beat the Gladiator? Which leads to the ‘My name is’ speech. So that young kid has grown up, and he’s now the Emperor… I don’t know what else happens at that point, but that’s the idea. It’s not a remake, and it’s not a direct sequel, it’s not like it’s the day after. It’s thirty years later or something and this situation arises.”
David Scarpa, who has worked with Scott on “All The Money In the World” and the just shot “Napoleon”, is writing the script. Scott, Michael Pruss, Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher will produce.
The title is expected to be Scott’s next project, with a start date said to be around May or June.
Source: Fitzy and Wippa
