'Gladiator 2' is in the works — but who's going to lead it? | Inquirer Entertainment

‘Gladiator 2’ is in the works — but who’s going to lead it?

/ 05:33 PM November 05, 2018

Actor Russell Crowe. Image: AFP/Andrew Cowie

A direct sequel to historical hit “Gladiator” (2000) is in the works, per Deadline, which indicates the movie “will take time to come together” but, once foundations are laid, the film “could happen very quickly.”

Russell Crowe starred in the original as Maximus, a Spanish-heritage general in the Roman army. Maximus’ family is killed by Emperor Marcus Aurelius’s son, Commodus (a breakout Joaquin Phoenix), who prioritizes power over even his own family ties.

Article continues after this advertisement

Sold into slavery, Maximus becomes a fearsome gladiator, both skilled in battle and crowd-pleasing spectacle, and sets out to obtain vengeance against a cunning and vicious Commodus, now Emperor himself.

FEATURED STORIES

Given the manner in which the original “Gladiator” film ended, Russell Crowe’s Maximus will not be leading the sequel, though he is likely to have left an indelible mark on the plot and may well appear in some form.

Instead, it’s Lucius, the son of Commodus’s sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who will drive the story forward.

Article continues after this advertisement

BUY: Gladiator Movie (Extended Cut)

Article continues after this advertisement

Prior to the events of “Gladiator”, Lucilla and Maximus were seen to be in a relationship, and their alliance proved crucial to toppling Commodus; Maximus ensured that Lucilla and Lucius survived Commodus’s brief but vicious rule.

Article continues after this advertisement

So who played Lucius in “Gladiator”? It was Spencer Treat Clark, who has more recently been seen in Marvel TV series “Agents of SHIELD”, the “Animal Kingdom” TV spin-off, and the final episode of “Mad Men”.

Not yet one of Hollywood’s A-list leads, there’s no indication that he will be reprising his role for “Gladiator 2”, but if he did, there has been a precedent: six months after “Gladiator”, he was in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable” as the main character’s son, and he’ll be Joseph Dunn once more in January 2019’s franchise continuation “Glass”. JB

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORIES:

Ewan McGregor linked with supervillain role in ‘Birds of Prey’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Eddie Redmayne linked to Aaron Sorkin’s ‘Trial of the Chicago Seven’

TAGS: Gladiator, Joaquin Phoenix, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, sequel

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.