Gladiator 2 Release Date, Cast, Director, Writer And More Details
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When it hit theaters back in 2000, "Gladiator" received a big thumbs up from pretty much everyone — critics, audiences, and awards bodies alike. The movie was the second highest-grossing film of its year worldwide, and it slaughtered its competition at the Oscars, with Russell Crowe winning for best actor and the movie itself winning best picture. And pretty much since the moment it theaters, there's been constant talk about "Gladiator 2."
For years now, "Gladiator 2" has languished in development hell, never finding the right script, never getting the greenlight. But in 2024, we're finally going back to Rome. That's right — a sequel to "Gladiator" is in the works, but how exactly is that going to work out? Spoiler alert for the first film: Russell Crowe's character, Maximus, died in the first film. So what story is "Gladiator" going to tell, and which cast and crew members are set to entertain us? Read on for what we know so far about "Gladiator 2."
When will Gladiator 2 be released?
The original "Gladiator" was released nearly 25 years ago, hitting theaters on May 25, 2000. In the years after, there had been rumblings and rumors that we'd possibly get a "Gladiator" sequel one day, and eventually, those rumors turned out to be true. The movie started moving forward in earnest when Paramount came aboard the project in 2018, and now that director Ridley Scott has finished filming "Napoleon," he's putting his focus on ancient Rome.
So when can we expect to see the film? Those who are about to die will salute you on November 22, 2024. However, there is a possibility that could change. Filming on the "Gladiator" sequel was paused due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but now that the actors and the studios have finally figured things out, what's the next step for Scott?
Well, in a November 2023 interview with Deadline, the director said he was hoping to get back to shooting in a "couple weeks," and he explained he'd already filmed about 90 minutes of the movie and had about 90 minutes left to go. Fingers crossed Scott can get that done in time for the November 2024 release date.
What is the plot of Gladiator 2?
The original "Gladiator" is a classic tale of betrayal and revenge. When Emperor Marcus Aurelius asks his trusted general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, to help rule Rome after his death, the caesar's jealous son, Commodus, murders his dad, ascends to the throne, and slaughters Maximus' family. As for the poor general himself, he's eventually sold into slavery, where he quickly becomes the best gladiator in the Roman Empire, eventually performing in the Colosseum before Commodus.
Swearing revenge — in this life or the next — Maximus kills Commodus in the ring, although he suffers a fatal blow in his pursuit of vengeance. So with Maximus dead, where is the story going to go from here? Well, remember the character of Lucius? He's the son of Lucilla, Commodus' sister and Maximus' old flame. Thanks to Maximus' efforts, Lucius and his mother escape Commodus' twisted grasp, and we're going to see what an adult Lucius is up to all these years later.
We have a hunch that since Lucius was the nephew to an emperor, the sequel might be more focused on the world of politicians as opposed to the realm of gladiators. Of course, being a politician in the Roman empire was a dangerous business, and we expect there to be plenty of backstabbing, violence, and intrigue in "Gladiator 2." We also know there will be a sequence involving some sort of baboon attack, and we know that Denzel Washington will be playing a former gladiator turned incredibly wealthy businessman who has his sights on stealing power from two monarchs that Ridley Scott described as "crazy princes" to Deadline.
Who is starring in Gladiator 2?
"Gladiator" pretty much ends in a bloodbath, with both Maximus and Commodus dying in the Colosseum. However, we know that Lucius, Commodus' nephew, will be the protagonist of "Gladiator 2." The character was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original film, but he won't be reprising the part in the upcoming sequel.
Instead, Lucius will be portrayed by Paul Mescal. According to Deadline, the actor majorly impressed director Ridley Scott during their meeting and was always one of his top picks for the part. Additionally, Mescal earned a BAFTA for his work as Connell Waldron in the Irish miniseries "Normal People," and he received an Oscar nomination for playing young single dad Calum in "Aftersun."
As for the rest of the cast, Fred Hechinger of "The White Lotus" is set to play Emperor Geta, and Joseph Quinn of "Stranger Things" will portray Emperor Caracalla. We can also expect to see May Calamawy of "Moon Knight" and "Ramy" fame get her time to shine on the big screen, as she's reportedly playing the female lead.
In addition to these up-and-coming stars, the legendary Denzel Washington will portray a former gladiator turned "rich guy who's still carrying a grudge," as Ridley Scott told Total Film (via GamesRadar+). We'll also see Pedro Pascal of "The Mandalorian" and "The Last of Us," as well as original "Gladiator" stars Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi as Lucilla and Gracchus, respectively. They'll be joined by Matt Lucas ("The Great British Bake Off"), Peter Mensah (Starz's "Spartacus" series), and Lior Raz ("Hit & Run").
Who is directing Gladiator 2?
While Russell Crowe entertained the masses in "Gladiator," Ridley Scott was basically the emperor — the one calling all the shots. The director earned an Oscar nomination for his work on the film, his second of three (including one for "Thelma & Louise" and another for "Black Hawk Down"). Honestly, we're a little shocked that Scott has never won an Oscar for directing, as he's one of the very best filmmakers working today.
Scott's filmography is vast and eclectic, and it boasts some of the very best films of all time, including 1979's "Alien" and the original "Blade Runner." In more recent years, he's helmed projects ranging from "The Martian" and "The Last Duel" to "House of Gucci" and "All the Money in the World." He recently wrapped a Napoleon biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix, and now he's returning to a world of swords and sandals with "Gladiator 2." Honestly, there's no one else we'd want running the show here, and we're excited to see what Scott has in mind for the follow-up of one of his very best films.
Who is writing Gladiator 2?
Originally, the script for "Gladiator 2" was going to be penned by Peter Craig, the writer behind both "Mockingjay" movies and "The Batman." However, he was eventually replaced with David Scarpa, a scribe who has a history with Ridley Scott. He penned the script for "All the Money in the World," the Scott movie most famous for replacing Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer at the last minute. Scarpa also wrote "Napoleon," a period piece directed by Scott and one starring Phoenix as the titular emperor. Additionally, Scarpa wrote the massively underrated prison thriller "The Last Castle," the not-exactly-beloved sci-fi remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still," and several episodes of "The Man in the High Castle."
Where to watch the original Gladiator
Before "Gladiator 2" steps into the box office arena, it might be a good idea to revisit the 2000 classic. While Maximus most likely won't be showing up in the sequel — he died in the original after all — it will still be a good idea to see Lucius' background and witness the events that shaped the adult he becomes in part two. So if you want to stream the first "Gladiator" movie, you can find it on Netflix and Paramount+. You can also rent it on Apple iTunes, Vudu, Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube.