One of 2024’s most exciting new releases and most anticipated legacy sequels just got an exciting new look. On hisofficial Instagram,Pedro Pascalshared a new behind-the-scenes photo of his co-starPaul Mescalin the upcoming filmGladiator 2. Mescal is sitting in a makeup chair without a shirt on, further accentuating the impressive physique that fans have been commenting on for the last week or so. Mescal recently spoke about how often movie stars work themselves into the shape of an underwear model, but his goal was to come off as more brute strength than pure aesthetics — and it’s obvious by this new BTS photo shared by his co-star that he found success in this endeavor.
Whenthe first batch ofGladiator 2images were releasedlast week, they were accompanied by several interviews with cast members and even directorRidley Scott. When talking about Mescal, Pascal spoke about how difficult it was to stand against him in the Colosseum due to his immense strength.Gladiator 2also promises some of the most grand action scenesthat movie fans have ever experienced, and all official looks at the film which have been released thus far point to this being spot on. Now thatmore than 20 years have passed since the release of the originalGladiatorfilm, it’s almost time to return to ancient Rome to follow those legendary figures who helped shape the course of history.
Who Stars in ‘Gladiator 2’?
In addition to Mescal and Pascal, the legacy sequel has anticipated a stacked ensemble cast despite not returning many of the original stars. The firstGladiatorstarsRussell Crowe,Joaquin Phoenix,Connie Nielsen,Djimon Hounsou, and more. Nielsen is returning to reprise her role as Lucilla, but other cast members includeFantastic FourandStranger ThingsstarJoseph Quinn, two-time Oscar-winnerDenzel Washington, withFred Hechinger,Rory McCann,Derek Jacobi, andMay Calamawyfilling out the rest of the call sheet. Original director Scott is returning to helm the sequel, withDavid Scarpastepping into the ring for the first time to write the script. Scarpa is best known for his previous work with Scott onNapoleon, and has also writtenAll the Money in the World,The Day the Earth Stood Still, andThe Last Castle.
Gladiator 2arrives in theaters on November 22later this year. Check out the new image above and stream the firstGladiatorfilm on Paramount+.
Gladiator II
Lucius Verus, the son of Maximus’s beloved Lucilla, returns to Rome after years in the wilderness. Captured by Roman forces led by General Marcus Acacius, he is thrust into the gladiatorial arena. As he battles for survival, he encounters Macrinus, a former slave-turned-merchant, and faces the corrupt twin emperors Caracalla and Geta.
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