“Gladiator” will feature Paul Mescal as the star of its sequel, directed by Ridley Scott

Just a couple of days ago we commented that ‘Gladiator 2’ is in the middle of the casting process, looking for its protagonists. Today Deadline reports exclusively of the signing of Paul Mescal as the protagonist of said sequelin a ‘far’ role from Máximo Décimo Meridio. The new film, which would be set 25 years after the original, is already written and its director, Ridley Scott, confirmed yes “enough ingredients from the first installment to continue the story”.

According to the aforementioned North American media, Scott began searching for his lead character at the time Paramount was holding the final draft of the film in November of last year. Mescal was one of the first to sit down with the director. Subsequently, the team set up an appointment with more interpreters, but all involved agreed that Mescal was the correct signature.

And it is that this actor, far from “replacing” in any way the character played by Russell Crowe, whose tragic end marked the closure of the winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture; will play Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). Lucius, who was also the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), son of the Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who killed his father to take over the throne; will be the backbone of ‘Gladiator 2’. No further details about the plot are known at this time.but the death of Máximo, who avenged his family by saving the young Lucius and his mother, would have made a strong impression on the character we will see again, already grown up in the skin of Mescal.

In addition to directing, Scott will handle production this film which has a screenplay written by David Scarpa (‘All the Money in the World’, ‘The Last Fortress’). Also returning from the original film are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max.

Almost But no

‘Gladiator 2’ ended up opting for Paul Mescal, but second assures Hollywood Reporter Borys Kit, there are some very familiar faces who have been considered for the role. Mentions kit Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden or Timothée Chalamet among the actors who would have met Paramount and/or the film team at some point in the process.

But, while the deal with Mescal hasn’t closed yet, the studio would have found its star, which is one more step for both “Gladiator 2” and its protagonist. And is that the original brought many joys to Crowe, who not only won the Academy Award for his performance but also saw his career skyrocket. Mescal, who hails from “Normal People” and rings ahead of upcoming awards season thanks to “Aftersun,” could suffer the same fate.