Paul Mescal’s Lucius Fights Pedro Pascal & A Rhino In CinemaCon Footage

Gladiator 2 footage reveals the first look at Ridley Scott’s sequel to his Best Picture-winning film from 2000. Directed once again by Scott, with a script written by David Scarpa, the historical epic will center on Paul Mescal as an adult Lucius, who was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark. Other than Mescal in the lead role, the Gladiator 2 cast also includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and May Calamawy with Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprising their roles from the first film.

At CinemaCon 2024, with SR in attendance, Paramount premiered the first footage from Gladiator 2 ahead of its release date. Check out a description of the footage below:

Begins with someone pouring grain on his hands. “I remember that day. I never forgot it; that a slave could take revenge against an emperor; that a slave could get justice in the arena.”

Denzel talking to a slave, “Do you hear that crowd? The greatest temple the world ever built: the Colleseum.”

We see naval combat in the Coliseum — much, much bigger in scale than the first movie. Pedro Pascal is shown being crowned by Joseph Quinn. Denzel says, “It’s an art choosing gladiators. Some choose entertainment; some choose brute force;”

Mescal is branded, and sort of recruited by Denzel. Pedro Pascal is shown leading a group of soldiers similar in battle — he must be some kind of commander or general.

Mescal is leading a group of gladiators against a rhino in the arena. “When it charges, break for the wall.” He uses the sand to blind the rhino and has it crash against the wall.

There’s a war with the Romans against another army. We see lots of naval combat, with Pedro leading the Roman army and seemingly wins. We see some trebuchets as well. (Think: Ridley Scott version of Minas Tirith battle, but a little smaller in scale.)

“I will not waste another generation of young men for their vanity,” Pedro says to Lucilla.

Quinn does the thumbs up and down like Joaquin did in the first movie.

Something happens and Pedro is forced to fight in the arena. He fights groups of men on his own.

Lucilla gives Mescal the ring that belonged to Maximus.

Mescal eventually enters the arena and fights Pedro in the Coliseum. Trailer ends with impressive sword combat between the two of them.

“What we do in life, echoes in eternity” voice over is said by Mescal as we see someone walking across a field, with the hand touching the grass.

More to come…

Gladiator 2
releases in theaters on November 22, 2024.