Gladiator 2’s cast continues to come into focus as a major star has left the movie and more roles have been cast. Deadline reports that Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk, Banshees of Inisherin) has dropped out due to a scheduling conflict. He was due to play Emperor Geta, and that role will now be played by The White Lotus Season 1 actor Fred Hechinger.
Deadline also reported that Gladiator 2 has added new cast members, including May Calamawy (Moon Knight), Lior Raz (Fauda), Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Peter Mensah (Avatar), and Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids).
They all join a cast that already includes Paul Mescal in the lead role, along with Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen.
Jacobi played Gracchus in the 2000 original Gladiator, and he is returning to play that part again. Connie Nielsen is coming back, too, reprising her role as Lucilla.
Calamawy, who starred on Moon Knight, is said to have a major role in Gladiator 2. Director Ridley Scott is reported to have conducted a “thorough search” for the role and conducted multiple auditions before officially signing Calamawy. Other actors reportedly got straight offers.
David Scarpa is writing the script for the sequel. Gladiator 2 hits theaters in November 2024.
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