Gladiator 2: Release Date, Cast and Everything We Know

Here is everything we know about Gladiator 2's release, cast, and story.

Gladiator 2 has been in various stages of development for 20 years, ever since the original Gladiator's Oscar takeover and box-office success, and it's finally arriving in 2024 — although it's going to be very different from the original 2000 movie starring Russell Crowe. Despite the ups and downs and numerous changing story concepts, the Gladiator sequel news revealed so far has confirmed it's in production. The original Gladiator smashed the box office in 2000, taking in over $500 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). It was beloved by fans and critics alike, gaining 12 Oscar nominations and taking home big prizes in Best Picture and the Best Actor category for star Russell Crowe.

Ridley Scott will once again be at the helm for Gladiator 2, and plans for Gladiator 2 have been in the works since the first film's huge success and have gone through different scripts and creative teams. At one early stage, Nick Cave was attached as a screenwriter with a script that would see Crowe's Maximus returning in a reincarnated form to go on a fantastical romp through historical eras, on a quest to be reunited with his wife and son. Thankfully, the plans have changed, and the latest Gladiator 2 plot will follow a much better story written by David Scarpa and picked up by Paramount.

Most Recent Gladiator 2 News

On November 14, 2023, Ridley Scott revealed Gladiator 2 filming will resume now the SAG-AFTRA strike has concluded. Filming is reportedly around 50% complete, by Scott's estimation. "We shot about 90 minutes, at least that’s finished." he explained in an interview with Deadline, "It’s really getting the sets cleaned up, they’re already built. I got another 90 minutes to go."

The SAG-AFTRA strike concluded on November 9, 2023

Gladiator 2 Is Confirmed

Gladiator 2 is confirmed, although it wasn't until 2021 that the version due to arrive in 2024 was settled on (via Deadline). The first time a Gladiator sequel was put forward by director Ridley Scott was as far back as 2001. Dozens of versions of the project have nearly entered production since, including one that would have been co-produced by Chris Hemsworth. It was in November 2021 that David Scarpa would be joining Ridley Scott to write Gladiator 2 after the pair worked together on Napoleon, and it's this Gladiator sequel which will hit theaters in 2024, although Paramount had already greenlit the project as early as 2018.

Gladiator 2 Release Date

The Gladiator 2 release date will be Friday, November 22nd, 2024. Considering the bombastic display that was the first film, Gladiator 2 will likely have a full-blown theatrical release, as any Ridley Scott production is best enjoyed in theaters — especially when it's a historic epic on the scale of a Gladiator follow-up. It's probable that the Gladiator sequel will run in theaters for a time before getting a streaming release. Considering that the film was picked up by Paramount, audiences should expect to look at streaming service Paramount Plus after Gladiator 2's theatrical run.

Gladiator 2 Cast

The Gladiator 2 cast is quickly expanding with so many notable actors attached. The Gladiator sequel will see Academy Award-nominated actor Paul Mescal (Aftersun) take on the lead role of Lucius. In Gladiator, Lucius was the son of Roman empress Lucilla and Lucius Verus, nephew to the villainous Roman Emperor Commodus. In the original film, he was played by Spencer Treat Clark, but Mescal will be taking over the role.

Fred Hechinger is playing Emperor Geta in Gladiator 2, whom Barry Keoghan was originally rumored to be playing. Emperor Geta was a real Roman figure, who ruled from 198 to 211. Based on Geta's history, it's unknown if he could be the villain to succeed Commodus. However, Gladiator 2 could seek to change historical events for its narrative benefit. Another new actor joining the Gladiator 2 cast is Stranger Things' Joseph Quinn, who will play Emperor Caracalla.

There are other characters who survived Gladiator that will join the Gladiator 2 cast too. Connie Nielsen will return as Lucilla, Lucius' mother, and Djimon Hounsou will return as Juba, a former gladiator. Derek Jacobi will also return as Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate. Several actors have been cast in as yet undisclosed roles too. Another notable Gladiator 2 cast member is Pedro Pascal, though he's also in an undisclosed role. Other actors who have joined the cast in unknown roles include May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas.

One of the most widely discussed Gladiator 2 cast members has been Denzel Washington. Director Ridley Scott gave an interview with Total Film magazine, and he disclosed several key details about who Denzel Washington is playing in Gladiator 2.

"As for Denzel’s character… There were businesses of gladiators who could indeed earn their freedom if they stayed alive. That was the deal. So we went right into that, in-depth. Where did he come from? How was he taken?" Scott explained, when discussing Denzel Washington's Gladiator 2 character, "He was branded with marks and registered with a brand on his chest as a slave. So that’s how he comes into the story. He’s a rich guy who’s still carrying a grudge."

Russell Crowe Isn't Returning For Gladiator 2

Russell Crowe is not returning for Gladiator 2. Since Maximus died in the end of the first Gladiator, and bringing him back would be a huge jump-the-shark moment, it's completely understandable that he's not involved. However, many were hoping to see Crowe bring the iconic character to life again, and Crowe even mentioned in an interview with The Ryan Tubridy Show that he was slightly jealous of new actor Mescal's opportunity to star in the period drama. Regardless, Crowe called Scott's direction for the sequel "a very smart idea," and wishes the best for Mescal:

I'm sure at some point in time they'll want to ask me about something, but they haven't brought anything up in a while. It’s an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus’ passing, so it doesn’t really involve me at all. I hear that young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they're picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor. I think that's a very smart idea within the world of the film that we created.

Gladiator 2 Story Details

The Gladiator 2 story will take place over 20 years after the events of the original film and follow a now-grown Lucius as he takes on Maximus' legacy. Lucius was the son of Lucilla (Nielsen), and he had a front-row seat to Maximus' story in Gladiator. However, rather than ascending as Caesar, which was his birthright, he was moved by Maximus' sacrifice and bravery, and swore to carry on his legacy. Gladiator 2 will likely see Lucius, now a grown man, fighting in the ring as his political ties come back to haunt him.