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# 'Gladiator II': Trailer, Release Date, Cast & More!
- URL: https://celebritykind.ghost.io/2024-gladiator-ii-trailer-release-date-cast-more/
- Published: 2024-07-09T23:16:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T00:18:37.000Z
- Author: Nehal Dalgliesh
- Tags: Entertainment, Movies, gladiator, gladiator II, Movies, Paul Mescal, sequel, #Migrated-1790725714374, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-29 23:49

Prepare to be entertained! The trailer for the highly anticipated *Gladiator* sequel (*Gladiator II)* has dropped and it's as *thrilling* as you can possibly imagine!

The three-minute clip shared by Paramount Pictures, introduces us to star **Paul Mescal** as a grown-up Lucius Verus II, son of Lucius Verus and Lucilla, nephew of the villainous Commodus, and the former heir to the Roman Empire.

##### Who is cast in *Gladiator II?*

Alongside Paul Mescal, the cast of *Gladiator II* features a group of stellar actors. **Pedro Pascal** plays Marcus Acacius, a Roman general who trained under Maximus. **Denzel Washington** plays Macrinus, an arms dealer and power broker who oversees a stable of gladiators. **Connie Nielsen** who starred as Lucilla in the original film, is reprising her role and is the mother of Lucius Verus, as is **Derek Jacobi** who played Senator Gracchus in the first film, a member of the Roman Senate who opposes the court's corruption.

![Pedro Pascal in a still from Gladiator II dressed as a Roman emperor with dirt on his face.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cf/bb/cfbb8a7e-9a81-48ec-83e6-18e106bf4f7a/content/images/2026/09/screen-shot-2024-07-10-at-9-23-13-am-1.png)

Paramount Pictures

Original stars **Russell Crowe** and **Joaquin Phoenix** are not returning for the film - which makes total sense given their characters' endings! However going by the trailer, we do see Russell as Maximus in a flashback explaining Lucius' backstory.

##### What is the plot of *Gladiator II?*

The film picks up over 20 years after the events of the original film. It follows the story of Lucius Verus, who watched Maximus in action as a child, and is now an adult. He has become a gladiator himself - a furious and strategic fighter who faces baboons and an angry rhinoceros in the ring, with a mission to get his revenge against the Roman Empire. As it so happens, Macrinus, a shady character (Denzel Washington), is also on a mission to see the empire fall.

![Denzel Washington ins a still from Gladiator II, dressed in gold and royal blue. He looks like a wealthy man. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cf/bb/cfbb8a7e-9a81-48ec-83e6-18e106bf4f7a/content/images/2026/09/screen-shot-2024-07-10-at-9-23-27-am-1.png)

Paramount Pictures

Filming began in June 2023, mostly taking place in Morocco but also in the UK and Malta.

In the original 2000 film, Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) is a Roman General who is sentenced to be a slave by Commodus, the son of Caesar Marcus Aurelius (played by Joaquin Phoenix). His family is also sentenced to death under Commodus' orders. Of course, this only fuels a fire in Maximus and sees him rise to the top of the gladiators. All the while, he is being watched and admired by a young Lucius Verus.

The movie won five Academy Awards at the time including the prestigious Best Picture.

##### Who is Making *Gladiator II?*

Acclaimed director **Ridley Scott** is resuming his role for the film's sequel, with **David Scarpa** penning the screenplay. The pair previously worked together on *All the Money in the World* and *Napoleon.* 

##### When will *Gladiator II* be released?

*Gladiator II* opens in theatres in Australia on November 14 and globally from November 22.

*(Feature Image Credit: courtesy Paramount Pictures)* 

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