Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington is in talks to star with Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film.
According to a report from DeadlineScott and Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins offered Denzel Washington a yet-to-be-disclosed lead role, and were unsure if he would accept. But sources close to the sequel’s production team said Washington was excited about the role Scott assigned him when reading the script, which led to a meeting between the two. This will be the first collaboration between Washington and Scott since 2007’s American Gangster.
Mescal has been cast to play Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nelson), nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), and grandson of Marcus Aurelius, who in the first film was Emperor of Rome until Maximus (Russell Crowe) ascended the throne after his murder. The second part revolves around the adult Lucius becoming emperor.
Negotiations with Washington to star in Gladiator 2 follow talks with Barry Keoghan to play Emperor Gita. Although the sequel is not based on actual events, the Geta ruled the Roman Empire from 209 to 211 AD.
Upon its release in 2000, Gladiator grossed over $460 million worldwide and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. Gladiator 2 will hit theaters on November 22, 2024.