Gladiator 2 has been in various stages of development for 20 years, and it’s finally arriving in 2024 — although it’s going to be very different from the original 2000 movie. Despite the ups and downs and numerous changing story concepts, the Gladiator sequel news revealed so far has confirmed it’s in production. The original Gladiator was beloved by fans and critics alike, gaining 12 Oscar nominations and taking home big prizes in Best Picture and the Best Actor category for star Russell Crowe.
Ridley Scott will once again be at the helm for Gladiator 2, and plans for the sequel have been in the works since the first film’s huge success and have gone through different scripts and creative teams. At one early stage, Nick Cave was attached as a screenwriter with a script that would see Crowe’s Maximus returning in a reincarnated form to go on a fantastical romp through historical eras. Thankfully, the plans have changed, and the latest Gladiator 2 plot will follow a much better story written by David Scarpa and picked up by Paramount.
Most Recent Gladiator 2 News
A Second Trailer Is Revealed
As Lucius continues to dominate in the arena, he begins to foment a rebellion that threatens to bring down the entire Roman Empire.
As the highly-anticipated sequel’s November release date looms, the latest news comes in the form of a second trailer for Gladiator 2. Reintroducing the epic scope of the follow-up, the trailer kicks off with battle scenes involving ships attacking a city. Meanwhile, Paul Mescal’s Lucius is purchased by Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, but the would-be gladiator clearly has more than one use for the scheming businessman. As Lucius continues to dominate in the arena, he begins to foment a rebellion that threatens to bring down the entire Roman Empire. In a shocking twist, the trailer reveals that Lucius is Maximus’ son.
Gladiator 2 Release Date
Gladiator 2 Arrives In November
The Gladiator 2 release date was originally supposed to be Friday, November 22nd, 2024, but the studio has since made a bit of a change. Now, fans can expect to see the return of the historical action epic on November 15, 2024, and though a reason hasn’t been given for the change, it’s likely to avoid competition with other blockbusters.
Gladiator
premiered on May 5, 2000.
Gladiator 2 Cast
Paul Mescal Leads A Star-Studded Cast
The Gladiator 2 cast is quickly expanding with many notable actors attached. The Gladiator sequel will see Academy Award-nominated actor Paul Mescal (Aftersun) take on the lead role of Lucius. In Gladiator, Lucius was the son of Roman empress Lucilla and Lucius Verus, nephew to the villainous Roman Emperor Commodus. In the original film, he was played by Spencer Treat Clark, but Mescal will be taking over the role.
Fred Hechinger is playing Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator 2, whom Barry Keoghan was originally rumored to be playing. Emperor Caracalla was a real Roman figure, who ruled from 198 to 211. Based on Caracalla’s history, it’s unknown if he could be the villain to succeed Commodus. However, Gladiator 2 could seek to change historical events for its narrative benefit.
A heap of other new and returning cast members have also been announced, though some exact roles are still unknown. A complete list includes:
|
Actor |
Gladiator 2 Role |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Paul Mescal |
Lucius |
 |
|
Joseph Quinn |
Emperor Geta |
 |
|
Connie Nielsen |
Lucilla |
 |
|
Derek Jacobi |
Senator Gracchus |
 |
|
Fred Hechinger |
Emperor Caracalla |
 |
|
Pedro Pascal |
Marcus Acacius |
 |
|
May Calamawy |
Unknown |
 |
|
Denzel Washington |
Macrinus |
 |
|
Lior Raz |
Unknown |
 |
|
Matt Lucas |
Unknown |
 |
|
Tim McInnerny |
Thraex |
 |
|
Peter Mensah |
Unknown |
 |
|
Alexander Karim |
Ravi |
 |
Related
Gladiator 2 Cast & Character Guide
The Gladiator sequel boasts a cast of characters both old and new, with actors from Stranger Things and The Mandalorian joining the epic story.
Russell Crowe Isn’t Returning For Gladiator 2
Maximus Isn’t In The Gladiator Sequel
Russell Crowe is not returning for Gladiator 2 since Maximus died at the end of the first Gladiator. However, many were hoping to see Crowe bring the iconic character to life again, and Crowe even mentioned in an interview with The Ryan Tubridy Show that he was slightly jealous of new actor Mescal’s opportunity to star in the period drama. Regardless, Crowe called Scott’s direction for the sequel “a very smart idea,” and wishes the best for Mescal:
I’m sure at some point in time they’ll want to ask me about something, but they haven’t brought anything up in a while. It’s an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus’ passing, so it doesn’t really involve me at all. I hear that young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they’re picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor. I think that’s a very smart idea within the world of the film that we created.
Gladiator 2 Story Details
Lucius Carries On Maximus’ Legacy
Gladiator 2
will see Lucius, now a grown man, fighting in the ring and willing to do anything to get his revenge against the Roman Empire.
The Gladiator 2 story will take place over 20 years after the events of the original film and follow a now-grown Lucius as he takes on Maximus’ legacy. Lucius was the son of Lucilla (Nielsen), and he had a front-row seat to Maximus’ story in Gladiator. However, rather than ascending as Caesar, which was his birthright, he was moved by Maximus’ sacrifice and bravery and swore to carry on his legacy. Gladiator 2 will see Lucius, now a grown man, fighting in the ring and willing to do anything to get his revenge against the Roman Empire.
Gladiator 2 Trailer
Watch The Full Trailers Below
Paramount Pictures has released a 3-minute trailer in anticipation of Gladiator 2‘s impending release date, and it is a spectacle in its own right. The lengthy teaser introduces Paul Mescal’s Lucius as the son of the slain Maximus (Russell Crowe from Gladiator) who has dedicated his life to getting revenge. Enter Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, a shady character who also dreams of bringing down Rome, and is willing to harness Lucius’ blood-rage to achieve his goals. Though all was not revealed, the trailer succeeds at imparting the sheer scope of the long-awaited historical epic.
As the wait continues for the sequel, a second trailer for Gladiator 2 was revealed in September. Highlighting the action-packed nature of the follow-up, the trailer opens with epic battles before switching to Lucius’ quest for revenge. Having been purchased by Macrinus, Lucius begins to dominate in the arena while fomenting a rebellion against the entire Roman Empire. Perhaps the most shocking reveal in the new trailer is that Mescal’s Lucius is actually the son of Maximus.
