‘Gladiator 2 ‘To Star’ Paul Mescal; Directed by Ridley Scott – Deadline

Exclusive: Ridley Scott He always said he would come back to the Colosseum to continue the story of his blockbuster epic wrestlerAnd it seems that we are getting close to fulfilling this desire. Sources tell deadline that Ordinary people star Paul Mescal Negotiations are underway to helm Paramount’s sequel to the Oscar-winning film, with Scott returning to the directing chair. Scott will also produce, along with Scott Free boss Michael Bruce as well as Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. David Scarpa wrote the screenplay.

Also returning from the original film are Janty Yates (costume designer) and Arthur Max (production designer). The first film was a co-production between Universal and DreamWorks, and while DreamWorks is no longer involved, Universal has the right to participate again when the project is packaged.

The new movie follows the critically acclaimed 2002 movie wrestlerwhich earned more than $460 million at the worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning five including Best Picture.

The role of Maximus, a Roman general turned gladiator, was a career-changer for Russell Crowe when he landed the role in the summer of 2000. Not only did he win the Best Actor Oscar, but he was shot to the top of every major-guys-in-town list, and once he was done Clarifying last year that the sequel would be Scott’s next film, every male actor in town who fit the profile began chasing the coveted part.

Meetings with Scott for the role began to heat up once the final draft was handed in in November, and Mescal was one of the first to sit down with the director. Although Scott continued to meet other talent, insiders say it seemed clear to everyone involved that Mescal was Scott’s top pick after a great encounter between the two. By getting the role, Mescal won’t be able to show off the strong range that only earned him an Emmy nomination for his work on The Ordinary people But also the physique already noted by the industry is essential to play the role. Crowe has been known to put on some serious muscle for the part, and Mescal will be looking to do the same.

Mescal will not replace Crowe’s Maximus, whose character met his end in the original film, but will instead play Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who is now an adult man as the story takes place years after the conclusion of the first film. Lucius was also a nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of the Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who killed his father seized the throne and ended up in a gladiator ring with Maximus – who, though mortally wounded, jammed the emperor before fading into the greatest aftermath of reuniting with his slain wife and son. Maximus saved the boy and his mother while avenging his family, and made a strong impression on young Lucius.

While Scott has hinted at wanting to continue the story even going back to when the original was still in theaters, the project gained momentum in 2018 when Deadline first broke it. Paramount came to develop. While Scott was finishing up directing another epic Napoleon (Who is coincidentally reunited with Crow wrestler Co-star Phoenix, who plays French commander Napoleon Bonaparte in that picture) has begun giving indications of his interest in doing so. Gladiator 2 His next film, and by the end of the summer he signaled to Paramount that it would likely be his next film.

Even after it’s been in development for so long, Paramount’s top brass did everything they could to make sure this wasn’t just another project left in the development purgatory. While Mescal’s deal isn’t yet closed, the studio now has his star on hand, and all the hard work points towards a return to the scene in a big way for all parties.

He is best known for his breakout role in the Hulu limited series ordinary people, which earned him an Emmy nomination, Meskal didn’t rush to find that big studio job, but rather took his time and was particular about the material he pursued. This decision led to a big year for the rising star that included a number of films that knelt down at the Cannes Film Festival including God’s creatures. It also received strong reviews for after the sun, Which is currently a contender this awards season.

Next for him is the image of Garth Davis enemy, which also stars Saorise Ronan. It is represented by CAA and the Curtis Brown Group.