Paul Mescal Appears Battered in Gladiator 2 Poster

At long last, Paramount has unveiled the first poster for Gladiator 2 starring Paul Mescal. The Ridley Scott movie is hitting theaters on November 22, 2024.

The first Gladiator 2 poster reveals Mescal’s Lucius Verus on one knee in the arena. His sword is planted in the ground as he rubs sand between his hands, clearly in the midst of battle. Fans will have to wait to see whom he faces in combat.

Paramount also announced that the first trailer for the movie will drop on Tuesday, July 9. This will offer the first official glimpses of the movie’s action.

Additionally, official stills were shared. These images are the same ones seen in Vanity Fair’s cover story on the upcoming sequel. The marketing and promotion for the movie are just getting started with over four months remaining until its release.

Gladiator 2 picks up decades after the events of the first movie. Lucius, the grandson of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson), finds himself enslaved and must fight his way out. He is opposed by co-emperors Caracalla (Joseph Quinn) and Geta (Fred Hechinger).

While Paul Mescal leads the cast, the ensemble is star-studded. Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and May Calamawy will also star. Returning from the first movie are Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi.

Ridley Scott directed Gladiator 2 based on a script from David Scarpa. Paramount will release the movie just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 22, 2024.

Scott, now 86 years old, has not stopped making movies. He first gained fame for directing classics like Alien, Blade Runner, Legend, and Thelma and Louise. Since 2014, he has made eight movies including Gladiator 2.

The original Gladiator has set a high bar, having been a massive hit. It grossed over $460 million worldwide on a $103 million budget and was a significant player at the Oscars. The movie was nominated for 12 Oscars and won five, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.

Paul Mescal, an Oscar-nominated actor for his performance in Aftersun, is set to play the lead in Gladiator 2. He first gained attention for starring in the miniseries Normal People with Daisy Edgar-Jones, receiving an Emmy nomination and winning a BAFTA TV Award for that performance. He subsequently starred in another miniseries, The Deceived, in 2020.

On the big screen, Mescal made his debut in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter, featuring Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, and Jessie Buckley. He followed that up with roles in God’s Creatures, Aftersun, and Carmen.

In Aftersun, Mescal played a single dad alongside newcomer Frankie Corio. His performance earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination, though he ultimately lost to Brendan Fraser for The Whale.

In 2023, Mescal continued his ascent, starring in All of Us Strangers with Adam Scott and Foe with Saoirse Ronan. Gladiator 2 looks to further cement his place as a leading man in Hollywood.

Source: Vanity Fair