Gladiator sequel starring Paul Mescal gets CONFIRMED release date for late 2024 – 24 years after the original film
Ridley Scott’s sequel to his 2000 film Gladiator will be released on November 22, 2024, Variety reported.
It was also noted in an announcement from Paramount Pictures that Normal People actor Paul Mescal, 27, is in talks to direct the film.
The untitled sequel will be executive produced by Red Wagon Entertainment’s Scott, Michael Pruss and Doug Wick.
Lucy Fisher and David Scarpa will write the screenplay, which comes 24 years after Russell Crowe starred as Maximus Decimus Meridius.
In the feature, he portrayed a soldier from Rome who was forced into slavery but swore to defend himself against Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix.
Sequel in the works: Ridley Scott’s response to his 2000 film Gladiator will be released on November 22, 2024, Variety reported
Because Russell’s Maximus perished at the end of Gladiator, Mescal’s character would play Lucius – the son of Maximus’ lover Lucilla, who was played by Connie Nielsen – in the new installment.
Paul’s character, played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original, was also the nephew of the villainous Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Paul for comment.
Russell’s character, Maximus, saved the boy and his mother while avenging his own family, and left a strong impression on young Lucius.
It comes after The Sun reported that filming for the film would begin in May with filming locations already selected for Ouarzazate, Morocco.
With locations in the Moroccan city chosen for filming, with a source believing the sequel could be “ready” as soon as 2024.
“It’s been building since 2018 and for a long time it looked like it would never see the light of day,” the source said.
“But suddenly, at the end of last year, the production team really came alive after agreeing on a new script that seemed to inspire them.
Contender: It was also noted in an announcement from Paramount Pictures that Normal People actor Paul Mescal, 27, is in talks to direct the film
‘A few months later everything was up and running and now it’s off to a good start
“They should shoot by May, which means there’s every chance the film will be ready in 2024.
“Either way, it would be a huge box office draw.”
Connie Nielsen – who played Lucius’ mother, Lucilla – would return with Djimon Hounsou who played Juba – a man kidnapped from his home by slave traders.
Paul received a 2023 Oscar nod in the Best Actor category for his role in the movie Aftersun.
He competes with Austin Butler in Elvis, Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin, Bill Nighy in Living and Brendan Fraser in The Whale.
He also received an Indie Spirit Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in Film, which came from A24.
The Irish-born star’s career is going great, having made her mark on the industry with Normal People in 2020.
He followed that up with a role opposite Olivia Colman in 2021’s The Lost Daughter, which also starred Dakota Johnson.
And next he’ll be seen in the sci-fi thriller Foe, Britain’s Fantastic Strangers and an adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along starring Beanie Feldstein.
He is currently starring in Almeida Theater’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Behind the Scenes: The Untitled Sequel Will Be Executive Produced by Red Wagon Entertainment’s Scott, Michael Pruss and Doug Wick
