‘Gladiator 2’: Cast, Release Date, and Everything We Know So Far
“Gladiator 2” remains one of the most anticipated films of 2024. As we approach its release, here’s a roundup of everything we know about the sequel.
When Does “Gladiator II” Come Out? The long-anticipated sequel to the Russell Crowe original hits theaters on Friday, November 22, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Who Stars in “Gladiator II”? “Gladiator 2” features a stellar cast. Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, joined by Pedro Pascal as General Marcus Acacius and Denzel Washington as Macrinus. The cast also includes Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, Rory McCann, May Calamawy, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas. Ridley Scott returns to direct the film.
What Will the Story Be About? The sequel follows Lucius (Mescal), the nephew of Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original film), who witnesses the death of Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end of “Gladiator.” Sent away to Africa for his safety, Lucius grows up and eventually returns to the gladiator arena, brought back by General Marcus Acacius (Pascal). There, he meets arms dealer Macrinus (Washington), who helps him seek revenge against those who wronged him.
What Happened in “Gladiator”? The original film, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2000, tells the story of Maximus, a Roman general sold into slavery and forced to fight in the arena by Emperor Commodus (Phoenix).
How Long After the Original Does “Gladiator II” Take Place? “Gladiator 2” is set more than 20 years after the events of the original film, mirroring the real-time gap between the two movies.
Is There a Trailer? Yes, the trailer for “Gladiator 2” was released in July 2024, offering a first look at the highly anticipated sequel.
Could Russell Crowe or Joaquin Phoenix Return? While anything is possible with flashbacks and de-aging CGI, it is highly unlikely that either Crowe or Phoenix will return for the sequel, as both characters died from their wounds in the final battle of the first film.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release of “Gladiator 2” on November 22, 2024.
