In one of the most anticipated cinematic returns to Rome, Ridley Scott is set to unveil Gladiator 2, the sequel to his Oscar-winning masterpiece that saw Russell Crowe don the armor in 2000. The original narrative followed Maximus, portrayed by Crowe, a loyal and esteemed general in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Yet, in Gladiator 2, when the emperor’s corrupt son, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix), learns that his father intends to name Maximus as heir over him, he orders the execution of Maximus and his kin.
In a narrow escape from the executioner’s blade, Maximus finds himself captured and thrust into the brutal world of slavery. Rising through the ranks as a gladiator, he navigates the treacherous arena, all while nursing a seething desire for vengeance against Commodus for the savage murder of his family and the betrayal of his emperor.
The sequel promises to weave together threads left dangling from the original, picking up the tale two decades later.
A stellar ensemble has already been assembled for this cinematic epic. Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal continues his meteoric ascent to stardom with the leading role, sharing the limelight with the global pop culture icon, Pedro Pascal.
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However, the most unexpected addition to this constellation of stars is none other than Denzel Washington, reuniting with Scott for the first time since their collaboration on ‘American Gangster’ in 2007.
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? 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.
