MOVIE NEWS – Exciting news has emerged about the sequel to Ridley Scott’s historical epic Gladiator, which is set to premiere in just over a year. Oscar-winner Denzel Washington’s involvement in the film has been known, but the identity of his character has remained a mystery – until now. Ridley Scott, the film’s director, has now lifted the veil and revealed that Washington will play an ex-slave who, over time, becomes a rich man with a thirst for revenge.

“Some of the gladiators were able to buy their freedom if they survived the dangers. This is a theme we will explore in depth. Where did he live his life before? How did he become enslaved? He has a stamp on his chest that says he was a registered slave. That’s how he comes into the story. He’s a rich man who still carries a grudge,” Scott told Total Film about Washington’s character. The 85-year-old director and the 68-year-old actor are working together for the second time on Gladiator 2 after 2007’s American Gangster. “I have the utmost respect for Denzel Washington. I shouldn’t call him ‘big old man’ because he’d get very angry, but he’s a real curiosity,” Scott said.

The next film directed by Ridley Scott will be Napoleon, which will be released in Hungarian cinemas on 23 November, while Gladiator 2 is scheduled to premiere in November 2024. Filming started at the beginning of the summer, but is currently on hiatus due to an actors’ strike, so there is likely to be some delay. The sequel will follow the decades after the events of the original film, which premiered in 2000, and will focus on the character of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal. Scott decided to cast him in the lead role after seeing the actor’s performance in the series Normal People.

Pedro Pascal has also joined the cast of the film, although no word yet on his character. Fred Hechinger will play the Roman emperor Geta, Joseph Quinn will play Caracalla and Connie Nielsen will return as Lucius’ mother Lucilla. Also returning to the screen are Djimon Hounsou and Derek Jacobi.

Source: CBR