Ridley Scott’s epic blockbuster is hitting cinemas at the end of the year. <\/p>
Ridley Scott\u2019s Gladiator II has released a first look at its star-studded cast in action, with Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal leading the long-awaited sequel to the epic period drama.<\/p>\n
The film takes place decades after the original, with All of Us Strangers<\/a> star Mescal playing Lucius, son of Connie Nielsen\u2019s noblewoman Lucilla, who is one of two confirmed returning characters (alongside Derek Jacobi\u2019s Senator Gracchus).<\/p>\n The plot of the film focuses primarily on a rivalry between Lucius and Roman general Acacius (The Last of Us<\/a>\u2018 Pascal), who trained under the late Maximus (Russell Crowe, who will not be appearing) and leads a merciless assault on the town of Numidia.<\/p>\n Quizzed on the themes of the story by Vanity Fair<\/a>, Mescal summarised: \u201cWhat human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see that in the arena, but also in the political struggle that\u2019s going on outside of my character\u2019s storyline, where you see there\u2019s other characters striving and pulling for power.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s the space for humanity? Where\u2019s the space for love, familial connection? And ultimately, will those things overcome this kind of greed and power? Those things are oftentimes directly in conflict with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n The publication also shared the first images from the film, which include a number of shots of Mescal\u2019s protagonist in various tight spots. Fans will just have to wait and see if he can make it to the credits in one piece.<\/p>\n First Look: Paul Mescal is Lucius in ‘Gladiator II.’