Skip to main content

Gladiator 2: Everything we know so far

The movie is set more than 20 years after the first film

Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.
Universal

Now that we’ve returned to the world of Dune, Gladiator 2 may be the biggest sequel coming in 2024. The movie, which comes more than 20 years after the Oscar-winning original, has already been the subject of controversy, thanks in large part to the Jay-Z song used in the movie’s first trailer.

Ridley Scott has returned to direct the sequel and is describing the movie as one of the “best things” he’s ever made. Whether that’s all talk or is actually true remains to be seen, but we’ve got a rundown of everything you need to know about the sequel, including what the movie is actually about.

Recommended Videos

What is the plot of Gladiator 2?

Denzel Washington in Gladiator 2
Universal

Gladiator 2 tells the story of Lucius, Lucilla’s child from the first film, as an adult. Lucius had a front-row seat to everything that happened to Russell Crowe’s Maximus in the original film, and it seems like he’ll be entering the arena himself in this sequel.

While becoming Caesar was his birthright, Lucilla apparently sent Lucius to Numidia in Northern Africa following the events of the first film in order to shield him from the corruption infesting Roman society. When General Marcus Acacius invades Numidia and takes Lucius captive, he must return to the arena to fight.

Who is in the cast of Gladiator 2?

Pedro Pascal in Gladiator 2
Universal

Paul Mescal leads the cast of this sequel as Lucius, and Connie Nielsen will be returning to play Lucilla, his mother. Pedro Pascal will be playing Marcus Acacius, a fictional Roman general and a possible antagonist for Lucius. Denzel Washington is also in this sequel, playing Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who seems like he might bet big on Lucius’s success in the arena.

The cast also includes Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, a real historical figure who may serve as another potential foil for Mescal, and Joseph Quinn stars as his twin, Gala, who also serves as emperor. Derek Jacobi is also returning from the first film as Gracchus, and the cast also includes May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas.

Is there a trailer for Gladiator 2?

Gladiator II | Official Trailer (2024 Movie) - Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington

The first trailer for Gladiator 2 was released in July and caused something of an uproar among fans, many of whom disliked the use of Jay-Z’s No Church in the Wild. Some suggested that this change was anachronistic because there was no rap music in ancient Rome, which is fair, but most of what happens in Gladiator also didn’t happen in ancient Rome. If you were headed to Gladiator 2 for the historical accuracy, you’re likely to be disappointed.

Who’s directing the movie?

Ridley Scott is returning to direct the sequel, which is coming 24 years after the first film. What’s more, Scott has been outspoken about how excited he is for people to see the film, telling Empire Magazine that “it’s the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”

Of course, Scott is the director behind films like AlienBlade Runner, and the original Gladiator, just to name a few. What’s also true, though, is that Scott has made his share of bad movies, and it’s not totally clear whether he knows if he’s made a good movie or not.

Who’s writing the screenplay for Gladiator 2?

David Scarpa is writing the script for the sequel. Scarpa is best known for his previous collaborations with Scott on Napoleon and All the Money in the World, and for his TV work on The Man in the High Castle. The original film was written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson.

When is the release date for Gladiator 2?

Gladiator 2 is set to hit theaters on November 22. The original Gladiator was actually released in May of 2000, and was not positioned as an awards player the way that its sequel seems to be. The movie rode a wave of acclaim to best picture, though, even though it was released outside of the normal awards season that ramps up in the fall.

Are Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix returning for Gladiator 2?

Russell Crowe in Gladiator.
Universal

Crowe and Phoenix were the twin pillars of the original film, with Crowe serving as the film’s hero Maximus, and Phoenix playing Commodus, the emperor who usurps the thrown. Mescal’s Lucius is Commodus’s nephew, but neither actor is set to return for the new film. Fortunately, that actually makes a ton of sense, as both Commodus and Maximus die at the end of the original Gladiator. Maximus baits Commodus into the arena and then quickly dispatches him before succumbing to wounds he sustained while he was in the arena.

Joe Allen
Contributor
Joe Allen is a freelance culture writer based in upstate New York. His work has been published in The Washington Post, The…
The best movies on Amazon Prime to watch this February
Add these Prime movies to your watchlist this month
Remote close-up watching TV

Amazon Prime has one of the largest libraries of content in the world, filled with good movies to watch. Whether you want to watch a comedy movie or a crime drama television show, Amazon probably has what you're looking for as far as the best movies to stream right now.

When there's so much to watch, it can be hard to sort through everything to find the best viewing options, though. Thankfully, we're here to help. We've already compiled a list of Amazon Prime TV shows for you to enjoy. And if you're looking for the best movies to watch right now, we've also found a selection of the best movies on Amazon Prime for you to browse.

Read more
The first trailer for ‘M3GAN 2.0’ teases another slasher romp
This sequel is coming three years after the first film hit theaters and became a surprise hit
M3GAN 2.0

The sub-genre of artificial intelligence gone wrong has exploded in recent years for understandable reasons, but few movies have had as much fun with it as M3GAN. That film was a surprise hit back in 2022 and told the story of an AI-powered doll that went to more and more extreme ends to protect her owner.

The first trailer for the sequel debuted at the Grammy Awards last night, and was aptly set to Chappell Roan's song "Femininomenon." The trailer has the same campy energy that made the first one such a success, and also shows glimpses of the returning cast, which includes Allison Williams and Violet McGraw.

Read more
The White Lotus season 4: Everything we know so far
Season 3 isn't even out yet, but HBO has renewed the popular show for a fourth entry
The cast of The White Lotus season 3

The White Lotus is one of HBO's grandest success stories of the 2020s. Originating as a miniseries that aired in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and transported viewers to a tropical resort in Hawaii during a time when everyone in real life was quarantined at home, creator Mike White's gripping satire of miserable people burying themselves deeper in despair is now about to begin its third season on February 16. Nominated for 23 Emmys across its first two seasons, The White Lotus is one of the most acclaimed dramas of the decade.

Fans of the dark comedy don't even have to wait for the third season to premiere to be assured that they will live vicariously through the wealthy vacation guests a fourth time. The White Lotus has officially been renewed by HBO for a fourth season. This is everything we know about The White Lotus season 4 at this time, including a possible release date, a setting for the season, potential actors, and even storylines for the season.
What will The White Lotus season 4 be about?

Read more