Paul Mescal has been spotted in character for the first time on the set of the much-anticipated Gladiator 2 film. The Irish actor, 28, is set to play the role of Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla, in the upcoming sequel. The original Gladiator movie, released in 2000, was a huge success and helped boost the careers of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
Filming for Gladiator 2 is taking place in Hove, East Sussex, England, after originally starting in Morocco. The movie will focus on Lucius, the nephew of Commodus and son of Maximus’ former lover Lucilla. The sequel is set after Maximus’ death and will explore Lucius’ journey as he navigates the aftermath.
The star-studded cast includes Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal in various roles. Original Gladiator stars Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi are also set to make a return. The film is expected to hit theaters in late 2024 and is highly anticipated by fans of the original movie.
Despite some setbacks during filming, including a dangerous explosion on set that injured crew members, the production team is working hard to bring Gladiator 2 to the big screen. Director Ridley Scott is back to helm the sequel, promising an epic continuation of the original story.
Fans can look forward to seeing Paul Mescal bring the character of Lucius to life in this exciting new chapter of the Gladiator saga. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses as the movie continues filming in Sussex.