The long-awaited sequel to Gladiator is finally moving ahead. Deadline has announced that Paul Mescal is currently in talks to lead the film. Ridley Scott, who will return to helm the sequel, is producing the film along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss and Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. Scott helms the film from a script penned by David Scarpa (The Day the Earth Stood Still).
Per Deadline, also set to return for Gladiator 2 are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max. While the first film was produced by both Universal and DreamWorks, the latter will not be involved in the project. In fact, as it stands, Universal doesn’t look to be involved just yet — although Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.
Mescal is set to play the role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla, who was played by Connie Nielsen. The rising actor is said to have beat out the likes of Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden and Timothée Chalamet for the gig. Mescal is perhaps best known for his role in Hulu’s Normal People.
Source: Deadline.
