October 20th 2024.
Paul Mescal, known for his role in Normal People, is set to star as Lucius in the highly anticipated Gladiator 2. Even though the film has yet to hit cinemas, critics who were lucky enough to attend an advanced screening are already raving about it. Some are even predicting that this could be the film that earns director Ridley Scott his third Academy Award.
Scheduled for release on November 15, Gladiator 2 takes place 24 years after the events of the first film, with Russell Crowe's Maximus long gone and a new gladiator taking center stage. Played by Mescal, Lucius finds himself torn away from his wife and daughter, and is forced to fight for his rights in the arena. The recently released trailer has fans buzzing with excitement, and critics are adding fuel to the fire with their glowing reviews.
Critics are praising Scott for his masterful storytelling, with Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic Jillian Chili calling the film an "absolute triumph." She also praised the performances of Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, all of whom she deemed "certified movie stars."
Variety's Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis also weighed in on the film, declaring that the era of blockbuster movies is back. He described Gladiator 2 as Ridley Scott's best directorial effort since "Black Hawk Down" and had high praise for Mescal's honest and surprising performance as Lucius. He also lauded Washington for his "killer" role, predicting that he may even earn his third Oscar for his performance.
Entertainment writer for The Root, Shanelle Genai, couldn't contain her excitement for the film, declaring it the best movie of the year and urging everyone to see it when it's released on November 22.
The film has also received praise from producer, director, and journalist Simon Thompson, who commended Mescal for leading a stellar cast and described the action sequences as "epic" and the treachery as "deliciously ribald." Similarly, Emmy-nominated producer and entertainment journalist Scott Mantz was thoroughly entertained by the film, calling it the real deal and a return to form for Scott.
A second trailer for the film confirmed a bombshell fan theory surrounding Mescal's character, Lucius. In a jaw-dropping moment, it is revealed that Lucius is not the son of Lucius Verus, as he believed, but rather the son of Maximus, Crowe's character from the first film. This revelation is emotionally uncovered by Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, who tells Lucius to take his father's strength before he enters the Colosseum. The trailer then cuts to Lucius touching Maximus' name carved into the wall before entering the arena.
Gladiator 2 is set to be released on November 15, and fans and critics alike are eagerly anticipating its arrival. If you're a fan of the original film or just enjoy epic action and gripping storytelling, this is a film you won't want to miss. So mark your calendars and get ready to be entertained. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, The Agency entertainment team would love to hear from you. You can reach us by email, phone, or by visiting our Submit Stuff page. We can't wait to hear from you.
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