Gladiator 2: who will Oscar nominated Paul Mescal play, release date and will Russell Crowe return?

After years of waiting, fans were pleased to hear that Gladiator will finally get a sequel with original director Ridley Scott returning to the helm. Scott has always said that he would return to the Colosseum, and fulfilled the promise when he confirmed in late 2021 that a script had already been written, calling it “a good, logical place to go”.

The DreamWorks Pictures film originally released in 2000, and boasted a star studded cast list that included Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. The original Gladiator was a huge hit at the box office, grossing $457 million worldwide receiving nominations for 12 Oscars, winning for Best Picture and Best Actor (Crowe).

Details surrounding the casting news for the highly-anticipated film are slim currently.. The biggest news to come from the sequel is that this time, Paul Mescal is reportedly set to star in the film.

Deadline reported that meetings with Ridley Scott for the role began to heat up once a final draft was delivered in November, with Mescal being one of the first to sit down with the director. Mescal will be playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who has grown up with admiration for Maximus (Russel Crowe’s character), who saved him and his mother.

As well as directing, Ridley Scott also will produce, along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss as well as Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. David Scarpa penned the script. Costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max will also return from the original film.

So, will Russell Crowe be returning for the sequel? Here’s everything you need to know about the Ridley Scott film.

Will Russell Crowe be in Gladiator 2?

Following the announcement fans immediately turned their attention to whether stars of the first film would return. It’s unlikely that Russell Crowe will return in Gladiator 2 as his character Maximus died at the end of Gladiator.

Speaking on the Fitzy & Wippa Podcast, Russell Crowe said: "Yeah we’ve had dinner and talked about it and all that stuff. So I know roughly how he’s shaping the story."

He added: "But yeah, if you remember, there was a young kid who wanted to beat the Gladiator, which leads to the ‘My name is’ speech. So that young kid has grown up, and he’s now the Emperor. I don’t know what else happens at that point, so that’s the idea. So it’s not a remake. And it’s not a direct sequel. It’s not like the day after, you know, 30 years later or something."

When will Gladiator 2 be released?

There is no official release date for the sequel as of yet, but it has been reported that the film will start production in May 2023, which would lead to a release as early as early 2024.