It has been reported that Paul Mescal has been cast in a sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning epic Gladiator.
The 26-year-old Normal People actor is said to have “always been” director Ridley Scott’s choice for the role.
However, he will reportedly not be playing the role of Maximus, the Roman general turned gladiator, who won Russell Crowe an Oscar in the original.
Cast: Paul Mescal, 26, has been cast in a sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning epic Gladiator, it has been reported.
According to Deadline Paul will play Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who is now a grown man, as the story takes place many years after the first film ended.
Russell’s titular gladiator who was killed at the end of the film has yet to check into the film, however fans are of course hoping he will return for a flashback scene.
They report that the Irish actor was the first to meet director Ridley, 85, and was the frontrunner for the role throughout the casting process.
No way: it’s been said that he won’t be playing the role of Maximus, the Roman general turned gladiator, who won Russell Crowe an Oscar in the original.
The character of Paul, who was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original, was also the nephew of the evil Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
MailOnline has contacted Paul’s representatives for comment.
Russell’s character, Maximus, saved the boy and his mother while avenging his own family, and left a strong impression on the young Lucius.
It comes after Sun reported that the film will begin shooting in May with filming locations already selected for Ouarzazate, Morocco.
Back again: the character of Paul, who was played by Spencer Treat Clark, in the original was also the nephew of the evil Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix)
With locations in the Moroccan city chosen for filming, and one source estimates that the sequel could be “ready” as early as 2024.
“This has been under construction since 2018 and for a long time it looked like it would never see the light of day,” the source said.
“But suddenly, late last year, the production team really came alive after settling on a new script that seemed to inspire them.
It’s happening! The long-awaited sequel will reportedly begin shooting in May with filming locations already selected for Ouarzazate, Morocco.
‘A few months later, everything was up and running and now it’s up and running.
“They should be shooting in May, which means there’s a good chance the movie will be ready sometime in 2024.
“Either way, this would be a huge box office draw.”
Connie Nielsen, who played Lucius’ mother Lucilla, is said to be returning along with Djimon Hounsou, who played Juba, a man kidnapped from his home by slave traders.
Back for more? Fans are, of course, hoping that Russell will return for the sequel, even though his character died in the original epic film.
Speaking in 2021, Scott insisted that a Gladiator sequel would be next on his list as soon as he finished work on Napoleon, which stars Phoenix as French military commander Napoleon Bonaparte and is set to premiere on Apple TV Plus later this year. .
scott said empire magazine: ‘I’m already having [the next] Gladiator written now. Then when I’m done with Napoleon, Gladiator will be ready to go.’
The filmmaker previously confessed that before shooting the original movie, he didn’t really do much research.
He said the independent: ‘People say, ‘What did you research for the Roman Empire?’ I didn’t say anything.” I looked at some pictures and thought, “Let this work.”
‘The biggest investment I ever made in my career was to go to an extremely good art school. And that has fed me all my life. “I never went to film school. So I look at some photos and I transform here. And I work like that.”
The original film garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations and five awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell, whose character met an untimely death at the end of the film.
Russell admitted that he almost turned down Gladiator, but as soon as producer Walter Parkes told him that Scott was in charge, he was intrigued enough to open up talks.
He said Variety in 2020: ‘I read the script and thought it wasn’t a movie. But then Parkes said, “It’s AD 184, you’re a Roman general, and Ridley Scott will lead you.”
And that was enough for me to want to talk to Ridley.
Epic Movie: Sir Ridley Scott has been working on a follow-up to his 2000 epic starring Russell Crowe as former Roman general Maximus who seeks revenge after being forced into slavery; pictured 2021