Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Gets Pre-Thanksgiving 2024 Release

February 3, 2023 9:53am

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(L-R) Paul Mescal, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator'Christian Tierney/Getty Images/Everett Collection

Paramount has just dated the Ridley Scott-directed follow-up for November 22, 2024.

AftersunOscar nominated Best ActorPaul Mescal is in talks to be in the film, as Deadline first told you.

Scott produces with Michael Pruss, Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher off David Scarpa’s screenplay.

As Justin Kroll first reported, Mescal isn’t replacing Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the first film, who died. He’s playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who now is a grown man as the story takes place years after the first film ended. Lucius also was the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius, who murdered his father seized the throne. Commodus wound up in thegladiator ring with Maximus — who, though mortally wounded, skewered the emperor before fading into the great beyond to reunite with his slain wife and son. Maximus saved the boy and his mother while avenging his own family, and left a strong impression on the young Lucius.

Nov. 22 is the weekend before Thanksgiving 2024. No other tentpoles are currently scheduled on the date.Gladiator 2will precede the Nov. 27 theatrical release of an untitled Disney animated film.

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33 Comments

Cornloggeron February 4, 2023 3:31 pm
Quintas: “A Hollywood director should know when he’s through…”
Maximus: “Would you, Quintas? Would I?”
Surgeon February 4, 2023 6:33 am
Will this be the Engineers vs the Aliens in ancient Rome?
Vladon February 4, 2023 2:55 am
America was fall. Putin
JonnyBadseedon February 4, 2023 1:05 am
I agree with some if you, but I don’t agrees with you others.
William Hammondon February 3, 2023 7:13 pm
I enjoyed Gladiator, however, it was fiction, and sequels to historical fiction are at best, usually lousy. Put this story to bed. We have been subjected to reruns of this movie hundreds of times on various networks. I could give a rat’s ass about the character, Lucius.
- Judy Hammondon February 5, 2023 10:43 am
  Methinks we’re related. My ancestor, William Hammond, came here in 1630…however, we couldn’t have more different views of the sequel. I’ve enjoyed watching the original many times, and look forward to the sequel next year.
- Anonymouson February 5, 2023 4:10 am
  Gladiator was far from a fiction. Sure it’s not 100% historical accurate.
- Anonymouson February 3, 2023 7:26 pm
  I don’t understand people like you. You can choose to ignore the sequel and carry on with your life. Not everything has to be for you. Lucius will carry on with his imaginary life and you’ll have to cope.
  - Thomas Hickeyon February 3, 2023 9:45 pm
    I don’t understand people like you. You can choose to ignore the comment and carry on with your life. Not everything has to be for you. William Hammond will carry on with his opinion and you’ll have to cope.
  - Thomason February 3, 2023 9:44 pm
    I don’t understand people like you. You can choose to ignore the comment and carry on with your life. Not everything has to be for you. William Hammond will carry on with his opinion and you’ll have to cope.
    - Anonymouson February 4, 2023 1:03 pm
      You certainly didn’t have to write it twice either.
      - Eedeeon February 4, 2023 4:35 pm
        I don’t understand people like you. You can choose to ignore the comment and carry on with your life. Not everything has to be for you. William Hammond will carry on with his opinion and you’ll have to cope