The 'Gladiator' sequel has just taken a major step forward, as Ridley Scott has chosen Paul Meskal to star in the film over far more well-known actors. Other performers who applied for the role were Miles Teller ( 'Top Gun: Maverick' ), Austin Butler ( 'Elvis' ), Richard Madden ( 'Eternals' ) or Timothée Chalamet ( 'Dune 2' ).
The veteran filmmaker has finally opted for the male lead of the series 'Normal People' to give life to Lucio, the nephew of Emperor Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ). The character was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the film released in 2000, but for 'Gladiator 2' a face change has been chosen.
From Deadline they clarify that the agreement is not yet closed with Meskal, but something very strange would have to happen for the negotiations to not come to fruition. Apparently, his first meeting with Scott took place last November , when the filmmaker was clear that he was the actor chosen to lead the long-awaited sequel.
At the moment it is unknown which other actors will appear in 'Gladiator 2', but it is confirmed that the script is in charge of David Scarpa ( 'All the money in the world' ) and that both Janty Yates and Arthur Max , the designer of costume and production designer for the film led by Russell Crowe .
I remind you that the filming of 'Gladiator 2' is scheduled to start this coming May in Morocco , which is why it was not included in the list of the most anticipated films of 2023 , since it will take a miracle for it to reach theaters before of 2024.