Paramount Pictures
The first trailer for Gladiator II, the highly-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s Best Picture-winning film Gladiator, has been released by Paramount Pictures.
Gladiator II sees Paul Mescal star in the lead role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) in the original film.
Opposite Mescal is The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal and Hollywood legend Denzel Washington.
Check out the official trailer for Gladiator II below.
Gladiator, released in 2000, also won Oscars for Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Costume Design.
Gladiator II, hitting theaters on November 22, stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.
The project is a particularly massive step in the career of Paul Mescal, as it marks the first time that the 28-year-old Best Actor-nominated indie darling has made the jump to blockbuster filmmaking. 25 years ago, Gladiator turned Russell Crowe into a global star, and with Mescal’s talent, there’s a chance Gladiator II does the same for him.
With the film being released later in the year instead of summer, it suggests that Paramount Pictures believes that, similar to its predecessor, Gladiator II can compete for Academy Awards.