A new trailer for Gladiator II has just dropped, giving fans a closer look at Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in their upcoming roles. In the highly-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 film, the queer favourites go to war over Rome, promising an historical epic filled with drama, fury and vengeance.
Mescal plays a grown-up version of Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson), a warrior who battles countless men, alongside savage monkeys and a blood-thirsty rhino. His main enemy, however, is general Marcus Acacius, portrayed by Pedro Pascal.
At one point in the trailer, Lucius is asked by Macrinus (Denzel Washington): “Whose head could I give you to satisfy your furry?”
Lucius replies: “The general will do. Rome has taken everything from me, but I will have my vengeance.”
The Gladiator and general are later seen crossing swords, and the former says: “I don’t fight for power, I fight to free Rome from men like them”.
i apologize for the person I will become when i see sweaty dirty broad shouldered pedro pascal and paul mescal fighting in their cute little skirts in the theater pic.twitter.com/lMpG3lAVeN
— Fran (@franispunk) September 23, 2024
According to the film’s official synopsis: “From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.
“With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”
As well as Mescal and Pascal, the film’s cast features Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn as Emperor Greta and The White Lotus’ Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla.
Gladiator II lands in Irish cinemas on Friday, November 15, but if you simply can’t wait until then to see Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in action, check out the trailer below!
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