There’s a phrase in Latin, ‘in medias res,’ which translates to ‘into the middle of things’. It’s a narrative technique where a story starts midway through events, and boy, does that feel fitting when it comes to the forthcoming cinematic offering, Gladiator II. We’re jumping into the fray two decades after Ridley Scott’s rousing original, Gladiator, with a face you may not expect helming the enterprise: The charming Paul Mescal.

Paramount Pictures, hoping to recreate the adrenaline-pumping triumph of Scott’s epic, has just unveiled our initial glimpse at Gladiator II, and it’s a collage of jarring war scenes and emotional depth that can only be described as ‘epic.’ Mescal, poised at the heart of this sprawling spectacle, seems to be on the cusp of a new level of stardom. Revisiting the universe of the original Gladiator, the sequel propels us twenty years into the future.

In Gladiator II, Mescal breathes life into Lucius Verus, who we last witnessed as the pre-teen nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus. Now an adult, Lucius has apparently spent the last decade and a half in obscurity, presumed dead by his mother due to their estrangement. A touch tragic and nothing if not intriguing, one can’t help but wonder if Scott is laying the groundwork for a heroic comeback tale.

The hinterland-returned Lucius isn’t the only familiar face we can expect in the film. The cast list includes both old and new, with Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprising their roles from the original. Joining them are relative newcomers Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, and not to forget, Pedro Pascal, a man who seems to be in a perpetual juggling act with multiple projects.

The preliminary footage offers viewers a peek at Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, a once slave turned arms dealer. Macrinus appears set to mentor Lucius, offering him the chance to exact personal vengeance and hinting at a potential power play in Rome. The film’s visual palette is strikingly rich and detailed, bestowing an immersive quality to the combat with every clash of the swords. Through it all, we find traces of the original Gladiator subtly woven in, not least of which is a touching connection between Lucilla and her son Lucius that ties him to Maximus (Crowe).

But let’s step back in time for a moment and remember the first Gladiator. Set in the ancient Romanscapes, the story revolved around Maximus, a respected Roman general who is betrayed by the ambitious Commodus, Marcus Aurelius’s son. Commodus murders Maximus’s family and usurps the throne, reducing Maximus to a slave. Despite the downfall, Maximus gains popularity and influence through his journey as a Gladiator, with a single-minded focus on avenging the deaths of his family and emperor.

The success of Gladiator was monumental. It raked in appreciation and Awards alike, earning particular praise for the performances of Crowe and Phoenix. The film’s accomplishment bolstered the historical epic genre, manifesting renewed interest in it.

Gladiator II, set for release on November 22, 2024, appears primed to lure back the enthusiasts who reveled in the first film. Until then, you can revisit the glory of the original Gladiator, now streaming on Paramount+.

Written by: ATC