Gladiator was one of Ridley Scott's most successful and critically acclaimed movies, winning Best Picture (though not Best Director for Scott) in 2001. There have been rumors for years that Scott has wanted to make a sequel to the Roman-set epic, but it is now officially happening with Gladiator 2.
While Russell Crowe's Maximus won't be returning in any way considering his character's ultimate fate in the movie (it's been 23 years people, no spoiler warnings), Scott has amassed quite the star-studded cast for his Gladiator sequel, which is only going to add to the level of anticipation.
So who's in the Gladiator sequel and when can we expect it? Here is everything that we know about Gladiator 2.
Gladiator 2 release date
Gladiator premiered for audiences in May 2000. Twenty-four and a half years later, Gladiator 2 is scheduled to come to the big screen, as a release date of November 22 has been set for the 2024 new movie.
That puts Gladiator 2 firmly in the middle of what is typically Oscar season. There will certainly be talk of Gladiator 2 following in its predecessor's footsteps, at least until people start to weigh in on it. Can it become only the third sequel to win Best Picture (following The Godfather Part II and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King)?
Gladiator 2 cast
So who will be picking up the sword from Crowe for Gladiator 2? Paul Mescal, best known for Normal People and his 2022 Oscar-nominated performance in Aftersun, is set to play the role of Lucius, the grown-up version of Lucilla's (Connie Nielsen) son from the first movie. Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original movie.
Also cast in the movie are The Last of Us and The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal as a Roman general named Marcus Acacius, who is said to have trained under Crowe's Maximus (though he did not appear in the original movie); rising stars Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things season 4, A Quiet Place: Day One) and Fred Hechinger (Thelma, The White Lotus season 1) are playing brothers and co-Emperors Geta and Caracalla, respectively; and Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, who previously worked with Scott in the movie American Gangster, plays a character named Macrins, described as an arms dealer with his own stable of gladiators.
One of the few returning actors from the original movie is Connie Nielsen, who will once again play the role of Lucilla, Lucius' mother
Here is a look at the cast in character:
Gladiator 2 plot
Here is the official plot of Gladiator 2, from a script written by David Scarpa:
"From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people."
Gladiator 2 trailer
The trailer for Gladiator 2 is here, and it is epic: rhinos and sea battles inside the Colosseum, Paul Mescal on a rampage and more. Check it all out directly below:
Ridley Scott movies
Ridley Scott is one of the most well-regarded directors of the last 50 years. He continues to actively make movies, including releasing two movies in 2021, The Last Duel and House of Gucci. Here is a rundown of all the feature films that Ridley Scott has directed throughout his career:
- The Duelists (1977)
- Alien (1979)
- Blade Runner (1982)
- Legend (1985)
- Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
- Black Rain (1989)
- Thelma & Louise (1991)
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)
- White Squall (1996)
- G.I. Jane (1997)
- Gladiator (2000)
- Hannibal (2001)
- Black Hawk Down (2001)
- Matchstick Men (2003)
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- A Good Year (2006)
- American Gangster (2007)
- Body of Lies (2008)
- Robin Hood (2010)
- Prometheus (2012)
- The Counselor (2013)
- Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
- The Martian (2015)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- All the Money in the World (2017)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
How to watch Gladiator
If the chance at seeing a sequel to Gladiator has you pumped to rewatch the first movie, you’re in luck. US viewers can watch it for free (with ads) on Pluto TV or stream it on Paramount Plus and Peacock. In the UK, the movie is available on Netflix, Sky Go and NOW TV.
