Barry Keoghan, the Oscar-nominated actor who is right at home in a good period piece, is in talks to join Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott’s self-titled film. Gladiator continued, sources say The Hollywood Reporter.
Scott directs the sequel to his 2000 historical epic starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, a former general forced to become a gladiator under the rule of the self-proclaimed patricidal Roman Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). The film won the Best Picture Oscar, while Crowe took home the Best Actor statuette, out of five wins for the acclaimed film. Neither Crowe’s nor Phoenix’s character survived the procedure.
The sequel will play the main role After sun Oscar nominee Mescal, who is reportedly playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of Phoenix’s Commodus. (Spencer Treat Clark played the role in the original film.)
When a deal is made, Keoghan plays a character named Emperor Geta. (Geta was a real-life Roman emperor, though the sequel’s story isn’t based on true events.)
Scott will reteam with All the money in the world writer David Scarpa, who also penned the filmmaker’s upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte movie. Scott will produce with Michael Pruss through Scott Free, and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher through Red Wagon Entertainment. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are executive producers.
Scott reunites key members of the behind-the-scenes team with his original, including director of photography John Mathieson, production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates.
Paramount is behind the project, but Gladiator was a co-production with Universal. Universal will have the opportunity to co-produce gladiatorial 2 once the project is packaged. Paramount has scheduled a November 22, 2024 release for the epic.
Keoghan is coming off an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the 1920s set The Banshees of Inisherinone of the critically acclaimed film’s nine Academy Award nominations, and is known for his eccentric work in such films as Killing a sacred deer And Eternals. He also had a small part in Matt Reeves’ The batter, in which he was teased as a potential precursor to The Joker. A favorite of the indie scene, he’s currently filming Trey Edward Shults’ latest film, which also stars Jenna Ortega and The Weeknd.
Keoghan is represented by WME, Entertainment 360 and Sloane Offer.