Barry Keoghan in talks to join Paul Mescal in highly-anticipated Gladiator sequel

The recent first-time Oscar nominees could be sharing the screen together very soon.

Barry Keoghan is in talks to star alongside Paul Mescal in the upcoming sequel to Gladiator. The original was released in 2000 and starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general reduced to slavery after being betrayed by Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Maximus then becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks of the arena in order to get revenge. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film became a commercial and critical hit, going on to win five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. Scott is also set to helm the sequel that has been in the works for years and will see Mescal, fresh after earning an Oscar nomination for indie drama Aftersun, play Commodus' nephew Lucius. First reported by Giant Freakin Robot before being confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, Keoghan is now also in talks to join Gladiator 2. If a deal is reached, The Banshees of Inisherin Oscar nominee will take on the role of Emperor Geta, a real-life emperor - though the sequel's story is not based on true events. Scott's frequent collaborator David Scarpa (All the Money in the World, Napoleon) is writing the script for the follow-up, which is currently set for a 22 November 2024 release date.

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