Gladiator 2 Casts Denzel Washington In Major Role - Report

Denzel Washington is set to co-star in Ridley Scott's upcoming Gladiator sequel. Deadline was first to report, citing unnamed sources.

Washington is reportedly in final negotiations to co-star in the upcoming sequel. If things move forward, it would mark the first time in nearly 16 years since Washington and Scott last collaborated, on the crime drama American Gangster. Paul Mescal is also set to star in the film alongside Washington, with Scott returning to the director's chair. The movie will be produced by Scott, Michael Pruss, Doug Wick, and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment, with David Scarpa penning the script. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will serve as executive producers.

The highly-anticipated new film takes place several years after the events of the first movie and will not feature the character Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, who died in the original film. Instead, Mescal will play Lucius, the son of Lucilla, who was saved by Maximus. Washington's role in the sequel has not yet been disclosed.

After Mescal was confirmed to be part of the cast, Scott and Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins, along with co-presidents Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland, searched for a star to play the other main role in the film. Eventually, they offered the role to two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington. Although it was initially uncertain whether Washington would accept the offer, sources close to the project report that he was excited about the character Scott had written for him.

Earlier this month, Paramount announced Gladiator 2 would have a November 22, 2024 release date. If the date holds, it'll debut over the Thanksgiving weekend and come out nearly 25 years after the original.