After being discussed for years, with it seemingly stuck in development, we are actually pretty close to seeing “Gladiator II” grace our theaters. So close, in fact, that it’s time for our first official look at the highly anticipated Ridley Scott sequel.
The images (via Vanity Fair) are exactly what you would hope for and expect from a “Gladiator” sequel. We see Paul Mescal, one of the best young actors working today, in his gladiator garb all bloodied. He clearly looks the part. We also get a first look at the rest of the cast, which includes Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, and Joseph Quinn.
The film is said to follow the story of Lucius, the son of Nielsen’s noblewoman, Lucilla, as he goes from a happy family man living in Northern Africa to a gladiator in the Roman Empire, where he is fighting for his freedom. But to Mescal, the film is about so much more.
“What human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win,” explained Mescal. “We see that in the arena, but also in the political struggle that’s going on outside of my character’s storyline, where you see there’s other characters striving and pulling for power. Where’s the space for humanity? Where’s the space for love, familial connection? And ultimately, will those things overcome this kind of greed and power? Those things are oftentimes directly in conflict with each other.”
He added, “It’s very ‘angry young man’ drama in that sense. He can see the way Rome has kind of fallen in on itself. Rome represents all the personal neglect that he felt as a child. Suddenly he’s thrust back into that world and has direct proximity to all of the things that he thinks he hates and doesn’t feel attached to anymore.”
“Gladiator II” is said to arrive in theaters on November 22. You can see some of the images below:
