When Gladiator hit theaters in 2000, it managed a very rare thing in Hollywood: Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama became a box office hit and a Best Picture winner. It’s one of those few movies that hit a stride with just about everyone. So, it’s no surprise a Gladiator sequel is on the way and that so many impressive actors are joining the cast.
Given the fact that Russell Crowe’s General Maximus Decimus Meridius died in the original Gladiator movie, he’s not leading the sequel. However, him saying he was “jealous” about Gladiator 2 filming without him has us wondering if he’ll cameo in a flashback or something. Regardless, check out the exciting cast members who have signed on to the Ridley Scott-directed sequel (many of which are featured in the first Gladiator 2 trailer). The movie will open against Wicked this fall!
Paul Mescal
Leading the Gladiator 2 cast as Lucius Verus is Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal. The Irish actor found his first leading role in 2020’s Normal People and has since been critically acclaimed in numerous films, including The Lost Daughter and Aftersun, the latter of which earned him a Best Actor nomination. Lucius was played by a young Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator. He was the son of Maximus’ lover Lucilla and idolized Maximus. With that in mind, one should know the upcoming movie will feature a time jump of 25 years.
Pedro Pascal
The internet’s “daddy” Pedro Pascal is following up his success with The Mandalorian and The Last Of Us with a role in Gladiator 2. Pascal’s role in the Ridley Scott movie will reportedly be a former military commander forced to fight as a gladiator as punishment for defying his officers. The movie will be the actor’s latest big-budget movie role following his villain role in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984 and ahead of his debut with The Fantastic Four cast.
Denzel Washington
Legendary actor Denzel Washington is reuniting with Ridley Scott for Gladiator 2 after the pair worked together on 2007’s American Gangster with Russell Crowe. Scott wrote the “bad-ass role” with the actor in mind, and after Washington read the script, he was very much on board for it. The Oscar winner will play a former slave who becomes a wealthy merchant with a grudge against the emperors.
Connie Nielsen
Gladiator’s Connie Nielsen is set to return to play Lucilla, who was introduced as Maximus’ love interest, the sister of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus and the mother of Lucius in the original film. Apparently the actress was part of Ridley Scott’s plans for Gladiator 2 “from the start of development.” Nielsen is another Wonder Woman actress in the movie, as she memorably played Hippolyta in the franchise.
Joseph Quinn
Stranger Things’ Eddie Munson actor, Joseph Quinn, is also among the Gladiator 2 cast, reportedly as co-Emperor Caracalla . Since the British actor went viral for starring in the latest season of the Netflix hit sci-fi series in 2022, he also recently led the cast in A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong'o. Quinn looks almost unrecognizable in his Gladiator 2 role.
Fred Hechinger
While Barry Keoghan was initially cast in the role of Emperor Geta in Gladiator 2, the Eternals actor reportedly dropped out of Ridley Scott’s movie to star in a movie called Bird from American Honey filmmaker Andrea Arnold. Taking his place is The White Lotus and Thelma actor Fred Hechinger as co-emperor Geta.
Lior Raz
Israeli actor Lior Raz has also been cast in Gladiator 2. He’s known for his four-season Netflix series Fauda and is set to star in the upcoming Apple TV+ Tom Holland series, The Crowded Room. This is another cast member for whom we don’t know their place in the sequel yet but he was featured in a few scenes in the trailer.
May Calamawy
Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy, who has starred in three seasons of Hulu’s Ramy and the Marvel series Moon Knight alongside Oscar Isaac, is also going to be in Gladiator 2. Per Deadline, the actress’ unknown role has great “importance” to the story. Scott apparently did a wide search for the role, and Calamawy landed it after “multiple auditions.” We thought we spotted the actress kissing Mescal's character in the trailer, so perhaps she is his love interest.
Derek Jacobi
Another returning cast member from Gladiator is Derek Jacobi, who will once again play Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate who opposed Commodus’s rule in the 2000 movie and helped out Lucilla and Maximus. Jacobi is an 84-year-old British actor who has appeared in projects like Good Omens and The Sandman in recent years.
Djimon Hounsou
Djimon Hounsou played the role of Juba, a Numidian tribesman who becomes Maximus’s closest friend, in the first movie, and the actor is expected to return for Gladiator 2 as the same character. Hounsou recently was seen as The Wizard in both Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and will star in Zack Snyder’s space opera, Rebel Moon this winter.
Peter Mensah
Actor Peter Mensah has dabbled in historical epics like Gladiator, between his roles in the 300 films and Spartacus series. He had a role in Avatar and was a major character in cancelled series Midnight, Texas as well. Given his history in the action space, we imagine he’ll be part of it as a cast member with an undisclosed role in Gladiator 2.
Matt Lucas
Bridesmaids actor Matt Lucas has also reportedly been cast in an unknown role in the sequel. The British-German actor is primarily known for his comedic and voiceover work. Along with Gladiator 2, he also was recently in Wonka movie starring Timothée Chalamet.
Gladiator 2 is set for a November 22, 2024 release date, only in theaters!
