In a recent interview, 65-year-old actor Rupert Everett revealed that he reached out to director Ridley Scott for a role in the upcoming Gladiator II film, but unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. Everett, who has recently authored a book titled The American No, which delves into the experience of being courted by Hollywood without any tangible outcomes, expressed his enthusiasm for working with Scott again after their collaboration on a 2023 film. He recounted how he personally called Scott to express his interest in being part of Gladiator II, to which Scott responded positively but nothing materialized thereafter. Despite this setback, Everett remains hopeful about collaborating with Scott on another project in the future. Notably, Ridley Scott has assembled an impressive cast for Gladiator II, with actors such as Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Joseph Quinn set to star in the highly anticipated sequel.
In the upcoming movie, Nielsen is set to make a return, reprising their role alongside another beloved cast member, Derek Jacobi, who will be portraying the character Gracchus once again. Additionally, Fred Hechinger, renowned for his role in “The White Lotus,” and Quinn will be portraying the co-emperors Geta and Caracalla, respectively, while Washington takes on the role of a former slave seeking vengeance. The cast also includes Pascal in the role of the formidable Roman general Marcus Acacius, who was trained by Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Crowe. Moreover, Matt Lucas from “Little Britain” and Peter Mensah from “Avatar” are also set to join the cast.
In the latest trailer for the upcoming film Gladiator II, a major revelation is unveiled regarding the paternity of Lucius. It is revealed that he is the biological son of Maximus, portrayed by Russell Crowe in the first film, rather than the son of Lucius Verus I, as he had believed throughout his life.
The sequel is set many years after the demise of Maximus, who was murdered by Commodus. In this new installment, Lucius is compelled to enter the Colosseum as his home falls under the control of tyrannical Emperors who have seized Rome. With the fate of the empire hanging in the balance, Lucius embarks on a mission to restore Rome to its people.
Gladiator II is scheduled to hit theaters on November 15th.