Are you not entertained?
Ridley Scott's long-gestating Gladiator sequel has taken a major step forward, with Normal People and Aftersun star Paul Mescal tapped for the lead role.
Russell Crowe's titular warrior, Maximus Decimus Meridius, was killed off at the end of the first movie, so when it was first announced that Scott was planning a sequel to his Academy Award-winning action drama, fans were curious who the story would focus on.
Now, THR has confirmed that the sequel will follow Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of the villainous Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who looked up to Maximus and helped carry his body after his death.
David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on All The Money In the World and the upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte movie, is currently working on the script. Scott will also produce with Michael Pruss via Scott Free, and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment.
Irish actor Mescal made a splash thanks to his role in Hulu series Normal People, which earned him a BAFTA award and an Emmy nomination. More recently, he starred in Charlotte Wells’ Cannes entry Aftersun, for which he''s been tipped for a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
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