This autumn, we can expect one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. We are talking epic battles, lots of togas and some of the most mesmerising muscles ever to grace the screen. Yes, we are, of course, talking about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to the 2000 film in which Russell Crowe played a soldier-turned-gladiator seeking revenge for his murdered family.

Due to land in cinemas on November 22, Gladiator II stars men of the moment Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal as two powerful warriors battling it out in a gladiatorial arena while Rome’s corrupt rulers watch on. We are very much sold – this will undoubtedly get the thumbs up from all of us (unlike the infamous Joaquin Phoenix Gladiator gif). 

Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming epic.

Who is in Gladiator II?

While Russell Crowe will not be reprising his role due to having – spoiler – died in the last one (although we bet there’ll be a flashback) Gladiator II still features an all-star cast.

Leading the cast we have Normal People’s Paul Mescal as the now-grown up Lucius and The Last of Us lead Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, a new Roman general.

Connie Nielsen, Kjimn Housou and Derek Jacobi all return to reprise their roles as Lucilla, Juba and Gracchus respectively. In the first film, Lucilla is introduced as the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), and the sister of Prince Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Juba is a Nubian warrior and friend of Maximus, while Gracchus is a Roman Senator who defects to support Maximus.

Also joining the cast as Fred Hechinger (Thelma) and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as the two Emperors.

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, an arms dealer.

What will happen in Gladiator II?

In the first Gladiator film, we follow Russell Crowe’s Maximus, a slave and a gladiator who eventually takes down the corrupt Emperor Commodus before dying a noble death in the gladiator arena. 

In the first film, we briefly meet Lucilla’s young son, Lucius. The sequel places the now-grown up Lucius, played by Mescal, front and centre. As Connie Nielson, who reprises her role as Lucilla, told Vanity Fair, the second film picks up opens some years after Maximus’ death. We learn that her son, Lucius, has been raised in Numidia, far away from his mother who has stayed back in Rome. “There’s a lot of Sophie’s Choice going on here,” she said.

As the film open, Lucius’ quiet life is up-ended when Numidia is invaded by Roman conquerors, led by Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius. “It’s pretty gnarly,” said Pascal of the invasion. 

Lucius is brought back to Rome as a prisoner, where he eventually reckons with his past.

“It’s very ‘angry young man’ drama in that sense. He can see the way Rome has kind of fallen in on itself,” Mescal said to Vanity Fair. “Rome represents all the personal neglect that he felt as a child. Suddenly he’s thrust back into that world and has direct proximity to all of the things that he thinks he hates and doesn’t feel attached to anymore.”

Ultimately, things come to a head with Mescal challenging the authority of the Roman rulers (two insipid young brothers, played by Joe Quinn and Fred Hechinger). Naturally, it all ends with Mescal and Pascal battling it out.

Is there a trailer for Gladiator II?

Yes, and it looks like a truly epic ride. Muscles! Men! Machismo! 

The trailer gives us our first glimpse of Pascal and Mescal in their roles, and we can already tell their bitter feud will be the driving force behind this epic film – and we cannot wait.

When is Gladiator II coming to cinemas?

Gladiator II hits cinemas on November 22. Incidentally, it shares a release date with the much-anticipated Wicked – in other words, this year’s Barbenheimer really is shaping up to be an epic cinematic event!

Images: Paramount Pictures