Paul Mescal in talks to lead Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator' sequel
The Hindu
2000’s ‘Gladiator’ movie featured actors Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Conie Nielsen in the lead
The sequel to Ridley Scott's multiple Oscar-winning film Gladiator has inched closer to reality as the filmmaker is close to finalising the lead actor for the project.
Paul Mescal, the star of Normal People and indie hit Aftersun, is in negotiations to star in the follow-up, which Scott has set as his next directorial, according to Deadline.
A Paramount project, the sequel will be produced by Scott and Michael Pruss as well as Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. David Scarpa has penned the script.
The original, released in 2000, featured actors Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Conie Nielsen in the lead. Crowe played Maximus, the Roman general-turned-gladiator, who avenges the murders of his wife and son.
Set years after the events of the first film, the sequel will focus on Lucius (Mescal), the son of Lucilla (Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus (Phoenix). Lucius and Lucilla were saved by Maximus when he defeated Commodus in combat, though he too succumbed to his injuries, allowing him to finally reunite with his murdered wife and son in the afterlife.
Mescal is currently receiving acclaim for his performance in the period drama Aftersun from filmmaker Charlotte Wells. He also featured in God's Creatures which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
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The Hindu Future India Club (FIC), in association with VIT-AP, Amaravati, will organise a seminar on ‘Career Opportunities in Law, Management and Sciences’ on July 31. The event is being organised in collaboration with GEMS Public School on the campus of the institution near Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur district.
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The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised a photo exhibition at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan in Guntur on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 (Friday), commemorating the valour, supreme sacrifice and victory of the soldiers in the Kargil War in 1999. The exhibition is being organised for three days.