Director Ridley Scott has found a possible lead actor for the planned sequel to his monumental film “Gladiator” (2000). Irish actor Paul Mescal (26, “Woman in the Dark,” “Aftersun”) is negotiating the role with the team, US trade magazines ‘Variety’ and ‘Deadline.com’ reported. Mescal was nominated for an Emmy for starring in the relationship series Normal People (2020).
Already in 2018 it had become known that 85-year-old Brit Scott wanted to continue her award-winning historical epic. The screenplay is by David Scarpa, who previously wrote the screenplays for Scott’s thriller All the Money in the World and his ongoing project Napoleon.
In the original film, Russell Crowe played former general and celebrated gladiator Maximus, who slays his rival, the emperor’s devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), in single combat and ends up dying himself. The blockbuster won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Crowe for Lead Actor.
The sequel will focus on Lucius, the now adult son of Commodus’ sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen in the original film). Nothing was initially known about a possible start of filming.
Scott is currently in post-production on “Napoleon,” starring Joaquin Phoenix as the power-hungry French emperor, produced by Apple TV+.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230107-99-132452/2
