Movies

Everything we know about Gladiator II so far

It's time to enter the arena once more.

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Updated on July 1, 2024 06:28PM EDT

A new Gladiator is entering the arena — are you not entertained?

The upcoming sequel is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2000 blockbuster, which starred Russell Crowe as a Roman general who's betrayed, sold into slavery, and forced to become a gladiator by the corrupt emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Gladiator went on to earn over $460 million worldwide and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning five, including Best Picture and Best Actor. So, its successor has big sandals to fill.

As we prepare to enter the arena once more, EW is gathering all of the intel, from who is once more donning togas to who is directing, producing, and more. Here's everything we know so far about Gladiator II.

What's the title?

Previously, Paramount Pictures had referred to the film as the Untitled Gladiator Sequel or Gladiator 2. At CinemaCon in April, it was revealed that the official title is stylized as Gladiator II.

Who is starring in the film?

Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielsen. Karwai Tang/WireImage; Rich Fury/Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Aftersun star Paul Mescal will play Lucius, the grown son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), played by a young Spencer Treat Clark in the original film. Nielsen is returning to her original role in the sequel. She previously teased the film's progress and expressed her desire to reprise the role in a 2020 interview with EW.)

According to Vanity Fair, after the events of the first Gladiator, Lucilla sent her son to Numidia, on the northern coast of Africa, in an effort to shield him from the increasing corruption of Roman society. Naturally, this being Gladiator II, he could only be kept from Rome for so long. Roman forces led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invade Numidia and eventually take Lucius captive, which is how he finds himself in the arena. Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a very wealthy arms dealer who uses gladiators for sport.

Also joining the cast is Fred Hechinger (Kraven, The White Lotus) as Emperor Caracalla, a role Barry Keoghan was previously in talks to play but couldn't due to scheduling conflicts. If the first footage is any indication, the megalomaniacal spirit of Commodus is still alive and well between twin emperors Caracalla and Geta (Joseph Quinn), the sequel's main antagonists.

Another legacy cast member, Derek Jacobi, is returning to play Gracchus.

Several other stars are attached, but their roles remain under wraps. May Calamawy (Moon Knight, Ramy), Lior Raz (Operation Finale), Peter Mensah (Avatar), and Matt Lucas (Wonka, Bridesmaids) are all in the mix.

What about Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix?

Russell Crowe In 'Gladiator' — Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator'. Universal/Getty Images

Spoiler alert! In the first film, Crowe's Maximus baited Commodus into the Colosseum arena and killed him, and then died from wounds he sustained in the battle. Given that they both made their way to the afterlife, it's highly unlikely they'd appear in this one.

Plus, Crowe has made it sound like he's not involved. The actor previously told Collider of the project, "The only thing that I really feel about it is slightly jealous, you know?"

This being Hollywood, though, a ghostly cameo or flashback is never out of the realm of possibility. Remember Maximus' famous dying words: "What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

Is Ridley Scott returning to direct?

Yes. Scott, who received a Best Director Oscar nod for the film, will direct the sequel. He is also producing with Michael Pruss through his production company, Scott Free. Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher through Red Wagon Entertainment, and David Franzoni will also serve as producers, with Raymond Kirk and Nigel Wooll executive producing.

Several other artists who brought the original Gladiator to life are also returning to Scott's sequel. These include cinematographer John Mathieson, production designer Arthur Max, and costume designer Janty Yates.

Who is writing the screenplay?

While David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson penned the first film, David Scarpa is writing the script this time around. Scarpa is known for The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Man in the High Castle, as well as a few other projects that teamed him up with Scott — All the Money in the World and Napoleon.

Is there a trailer or footage?

The first footage for the film debuted at CinemaCon 2024 but has not been revealed to the public. In the meantime, you can read all about what EW saw and what it means for the film, here.