Paul Mescal, star of the highly anticipated Gladiator 2, was recently seen in character as a battered and bloodied Lucius during reshoots in rural Sussex. The actor, sporting Roman robes and boots, was spotted milling around with the crew while taking a cigarette break.
The filming location has shifted from the original Moroccan set to Hove in East Sussex, England. The grounds were transformed for the battle scenes, with actors charging across the field on horses in full armor.
Gladiator 2 will focus on Lucius, portrayed by Mescal, who is the nephew of Commodus and the son of Maximus’ former lover Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen. Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator film. The sequel is set after Maximus’ death and follows Lucius, who believes his mother is dead.
Denzel Washington is also set to star in an undisclosed role, described as a former slave turned wealthy arms dealer with a deep-seated hatred for emperors. The cast also includes Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Greta, and Pedro Pascal in an unspecified role. Original Gladiator stars Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi are slated to return.
The original Gladiator film, released in 2000, was a massive success, earning $465 million worldwide and winning five Oscars, including Best Picture. The sequel has been in the works since 2001, with Paramount greenlighting the project in 2018.
However, the filming process has been fraught with challenges. An on-set accident involving a special effects shot resulted in a dangerous explosion and injured several crew members. Witnesses speculate that the incident may have been caused by a gas pipe rupture. The crew members’ conditions remain unclear, and the incident has shaken up everyone involved in the production.
Despite the setbacks, Gladiator 2 is expected to debut in theaters in late 2024.
