Pedro Pascal (right) and Paul Mescal in “Gladiator 2” | Image: Vanity Fair via Instagram/@pascalispunk
After almost 25 years, the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 hit “Gladiator” is set to witness the continuation of an epic battle, with Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius and Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus headlining the duel.
The first official trailer for “Gladiator 2” kicks off with Mescal’s Lucius circling back to the first film, with Denzel Washington’s Macrinus controlling the narrative. The trailer offers extensive battles and arena fights that are expected to bring the audience to the edge of their seats.
One of the thrilling fights that are set to arise is between Lucius (Mescal) and Marcus (Pascal), with Rome being the setting of an uprising. As of this writing, the trailer has gathered 10 million views on YouTube.
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“Gladiator 2” will pick up several years after the first film and will follow the former heir to the Roman Empire, Lucius, after being forced into slavery. Not unlike Maximus, we’ll see him enter the dangerous arena as a gladiator as he refuses to follow the rules.
Meanwhile, Pascal took to Instagram to celebrate the release of the trailer by posting the official poster of the film and a candid unshirt picture of his co-star Mescal.
“Come and get it. #Gladiator2 November 22,” he wrote in the caption. The Hollywood actor also posted some first-look stills from their battle one week ago.
Aside from the aforementioned, “Gladiator 2” features a stellar cast line-up, with Joseph Quinn as Geta and Connie Nielsen returning as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius, among others.
Russell Crowe, who led the original film, is still unconfirmed if he will appear in the sequel and has insisted in the past that the upcoming second “has nothing to do with him” and his deceased character Maximus.
“Gladiator II” opens in Philippine cinemas on November 20 via Paramount Pictures.