The first trailer has finally arrived for Ridley Scott‘s highly anticipated follow-up to Gladiator, his 2000 Oscar-winning masterpiece starring Russell Crowe. Watch the teaser for Gladiator II above.

With Ridley Scott again at the helm, Gladiator II continues the saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. The film stars Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers, Aftersun), taking on the role of Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Empire, who has been living in the wilderness, estranged from his mother and believed dead. Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original film, although, as the trailer shows, they’ve retconned (with CG edits) that casting due to expanded flashbacks.

Years after the death of the revered hero Maximus, Lucius is thrust into the Colosseum after his home is conquered by tyrannical Emperors. With rage burning in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must delve into his past to find the strength and honour needed to restore Rome’s glory.

The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a ruthless Roman general; Connie Nielsen, returning as Lucilla, Lucius’s mother; Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a power broker and gladiator owner; Derek Jacobi, back as Senator Gracchus; and Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, portraying the young co-emperors, Geta and Caracalla.

The screenplay was written by David Scarpa, who penned Ridley Scott films Napoleon and All the Money in the World, and whose credits include The Last Castle and 2008’s The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Gladiator II will open in Australian cinemas on November 14th and US cinemas on November 22nd.