Anticipation Builds for ‘Gladiator II’ as Paul Mescal Takes Lead Role

Actor Spencer Treat Clark, known for his role as young Lucius in the original 2000 ‘Gladiator’ film, has expressed his excitement for the upcoming sequel starring Paul Mescal. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Clark, who now plays an adult Lucius, shared his thoughts after watching the highly anticipated trailer for ‘Gladiator II‘. “The movie looks so good, and Paul’s going to do such a great job,” Clark remarked, indicating his confidence in Mescal’s performance in the role of an adult Lucius Verus.

Clark reflected on the nostalgia of being part of the original cast 25 years ago, acknowledging that many people might not immediately recognize him in his current form. “For some people, seeing me as an adult and being like, ‘Oh my God, you were Lucius in Gladiator,’ is so wild,” Clark noted.

‘Gladiator II’, directed by Ridley Scott, picks up the narrative where the first film left off. The sequel follows Lucius, the son of Lucilla and nephew of the tyrannical Commodus, as he enters the arena. The film features returning actors such as Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi alongside new additions including Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn.

Scott, who helmed the original 2000 epic, assured fans that the sequel stands up to its predecessor. Speaking at the premiere of another of his projects, he promised viewers that the upcoming film is “as good as” the original but chose not to label it superior.

The sequel, set to be released in theaters on November 22, comes with plans for a potential future installment. Scott hinted at a possible ‘Gladiator III’, drawing inspiration from the narrative style of ‘The Godfather Part II’, suggesting a continuation of Lucius’s character arc.

Leading star Paul Mescal, best known for his work in ‘Normal People‘, has described the experience of stepping into such a major role. In discussions with IndieWire, Mescal admitted to feeling the weight of the project’s expectations, having been advised by Scott to “leave his nerves at the door” before filming began. The actor expressed how the scale of the production impressed him from the start, as large-scale sets reminiscent of the first film were reconstructed for the sequel.

Despite the pressure, Mescal finds excitement in tackling ‘Gladiator II’, considering it a significant career milestone. He acknowledged the challenges that come with living up to the legacy of the original film, yet expressed confidence in making the character his own.