Gladiator sequel is putting together a cast for the ages

One of the most eagerly anticipated movies of 2024 is the sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 epic, Gladiator.

The original is recognised as one of the best movies of that decade as well as a hit commercially. It won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.

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It told the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general betrayed by Emperor Commodus following the death of previous Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Maximus survives an assassination attempt and is eventually sold into slavery before becoming a Gladiator inside the Roman Colosseum.

A sequel was confirmed last year, with Paul Mescal in the lead role. The belief is that Gladiator 2 will focus on the character of Lucius from the first movie. The son of Lucilla and nephew of Commodus, he struck a bond with Maximus, who may or may not be his father.

After Mescal was confirmed, the rest of the cast started coming together, and it is a hugely exciting bunch of stars that Scott has collected.

It is believed that Barry Keoghan will play Gladiator 2's primary villain, Emperor Gata. The Irishman has hit superstardom over the last few years due to performances in projects like The Eternals, Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Batman and, of course, The Banshees of Inisherin, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Oscar winner Denzel Washington is also involved, and he could play a mentor figure to Lucius akin to Oliver Reed's role in the first movie.

Connie Nielsen will make her return as Lucius' mother, while it is rumoured that Djimon Honsou could also return. Joseph Quinn of Stranger Things fame is also involved.

The latest news is that the man of the moment, Pedro Pascal, has joined the cast, though details on his exact role are unknown.

Russell Crowe not involved in Gladiator sequel

At the conclusion of Gladiator, Maximus loses his life after a fight with Emperor Commodus, so it is tough to see how Crowe would return for the sequel unless it was a flashback or dream sequence.

The actor has confirmed that he likely won't be involved.

"I'm sure at some point in time they'll want to ask me about something, but they haven't brought anything up in a while," he told RTE Radio One.

"It's an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus' passing, so it doesn't really involve me at all.

"I hear that young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they're picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor. I think that's a very smart idea within the world of the film that we created."