Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington raise their swords for an epic arena battle in the first trailer for Ridley Scott‘s sequel movie Gladiator II.
Paramount Pictures releases the historical drama feature in theaters Nov. 22. Starring Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen, the film is director Scott’s follow-up to his 2000 epic Gladiator that starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix and collected five Oscars, including best picture.
Set several decades after the events of the first movie in ancient Rome, Gladiator II centers on Lucius (Mescal) — the grandson of former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and now the grown-up son of Emperor Commodus — who resides with his family in Numidia. After ending up in slavery following an invasion led by Roman general Marcus Acacius, Lucius follows the inspiration of Maximus (played by Crowe in the original Gladiator) and competes as a gladiator.
“Remember Lucius, the war will consume you,” a voiceover warns at one point in the trailer as swords are outstretched to prepare for brutal gladiator duels. The teaser also has Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Narcos) stepping into the sandals of Marcus Acacius.
Scott directed Gladiator II from a script by David Scarpa. Scott, Lucy Fisher, David Franzoni, Michael Pruss and Douglas Wick serve as producers.
Paramount debuted footage from the sequel at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year, where Scott said in a featurette of the new film, “It is possibly even more extraordinary than the first.” He added that despite arriving more than two decades after Gladiator, the follow-up feature is “well worth the wait.”
Gladiator II is a big swing for Paramount and comes as the studio’s parent company is set to be acquired by a consortium led by Skydance. The sequel saw its budget expand over the course of a shoot that was put on pause last year amid Hollywood’s strikes. The first Gladiator was the second-highest grossing title of 2000, surpassing $465 million at the global box office ($848 million today).
Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Mescal is known for his breakout role in the series Normal People, in addition to his work in the features Aftersun, All of Us Strangers and Foe.
The Hollywood Reporter recently included Mescal on its list of 10 performers who comprise Hollywood’s new A-list, alongside such stars as Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Jenna Ortega. Said one executive, “Every filmmaker loves Paul Mescal.”
