Summary Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal reveals his battered Lucius look for the first time during England reshoots. Fans were excited by Mescal's armor, reminiscent of Russell Crowe's original breastplate, hinting at familial connection. Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 is set to hit theaters in 2024.
After months of anticipation and hype, fans finally have their first official look at Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's upcoming Gladiator 2. The long-awaited sequel to the Oscar-winning Gladiator was first announced in 2018, and has bounced in and out of production limbo since. Mescal (best known for Normal People and All of Us Strangers) signed on to lead the project in 2023. Fans have desperately awaited a sequel since the release of Gladiator back in 2000, and the first reveal of Mescal in uniform has them very excited.
The photos were taken during reshoots in Sussex, England (via The Daily Mail). Mescal plays Lucius in the movie, and appears bloody and bruised in the photo, sporting form-fitting armor. This is the first proper look fans have gotten of Mescal in the movie.
What's most revealing about the image is the armor, which looks remarkably similar to the breastplate worn by Russel Crowe in the original movie. In Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) was gifted the armor by Proximo (Oliver Reed) at the start of his gladitorial days. The armor was then engraved and embellished over time, with images representing his fallen wife and son, as well as their two horses. While the identity of Lucius' father is somewhat confirmed in the first movie, some fans believe that Lucius will discover he is Maximus' son, and was gifted the armor following his father's death.
Who is Lucius in Gladiator 2?
Major plot details about Gladiator 2 are being kept a tightly guarded secret by everyone involved. The very fact that the movie managed to complete its principal photography without any major set photos leaking is a feat in itself. However, Scott has teased some key details about Mescal's character in the new film. Speaking before the release of Napoleon, Scott said:
"He's playing Lucius. He's been in the wilderness for, about 12 or 15 years. Having lost that touch with his mother. [His] mother lost touch with him, she doesn't know where he is. She thinks he might be dead."
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That is all Ridley Scott has revealed about the character, so far. Joining Mescal for the new film is Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, a vicious ruler who enjoys violence, and Fred Hechinger as Emperor Geta, the brother of Caracalla. Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal have also joined the project, although their roles have not yet been revealed. Most importantly, considering Lucius' parentage, Connie Nielson will be returning for Gladiator 2 to reprise the role of Lucilla, Lucius' mother. Alongside her, Derek Jacobi is also returning as Gracchus, a loyal adviser to Lucilla. Although it was rumored that Djimon Honsou would reprise his role as Juba, a fellow gladiator who fought alongside Maximus, the actor confirmed in December 2023 that he would not be appearing in the film.
Gladiator 2 is currently scheduled to hit theaters on November 22, 2024.
