A big new trailer has arrived for Gladiator II, offering a thrilling glimpse into Ridley Scott‘s return to Ancient Rome. Scott revisits the grandeur and brutality of the empire, this time through the eyes of Lucius Verus, portrayed by Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers). Take a look above.
Set years after the death of the legendary Maximus (played by Russell Crowe in the 2000 Best Picture winner), the sequel follows Lucius, the former heir to the throne who has been living in exile, presumed dead and estranged from his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, reprising her role). When tyrannical co-emperors seize control of Rome, Lucius is compelled to return, facing the perilous arena of the Colosseum and the political machinations that threaten the very soul of the empire.
Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, The Last of Us) joins the cast as Marcus Acacius, a formidable Roman general whose loyalties are shrouded in mystery. Oscar winner Denzel Washington steps into the role of Macrinus, a powerful figure in the gladiatorial world, marking his first collaboration with Scott since American Gangster.
Returning cast member Derek Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gracchus, offering a link to the original film’s political intrigue. New antagonists emerge in the form of co-emperors Geta and Caracalla, played by Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) and Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), whose despotic rule sets the stage for conflict.
The trailer showcases some seriously ambitious battle sequences, featuring blood-thirsty apes, rhinos, and ship battles in the Colosseum, as well as a number of nods for fans of the classic first film. Plus, confirmation that Lucius is, in fact, Maximus’ son? Let’s hope the screenplay, which comes from David Scarpa, known for his work on Ridley Scott’s Napoleon and All the Money in the World, brings a strong enough story and a dose of the emotional strength that made Gladiator such a winner.
Gladiator II is slated to open in Australian cinemas on November 14 and will make its U.S. debut on November 22.
