Denzel Washington Is Reportedly Joining The Gladiator Sequel, And I'm Here For The Ridley Scott Reunion

Denzel Washington Is Reportedly Joining The Gladiator Sequel, And I'm Here For The Ridley Scott Reunion

As the development of the sequel to Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator continues to move forward, the news has gotten even more promising. With Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal filling the first lead position, yet another acting talent familiar with the Oscars sounds like they’re jumping on board. Should the latest news be true, Denzel Washington is joining Gladiator 2, and I’m all here for his reunion with his American Gangster director.

Almost two decades after Scott and Washington teamed on that true crime drama, Deadline has heard from sources that negotiations are underway for them to reunite on Gladiator 2. If this intel is to be believed, Ridley Scott’s personal pitch to Denzel Washington went a long way to bringing him onto the project. 

Naturally, we have no details on Washington’s potential character at this time. However, looking at the other recent casting news, a picture is starting to form. All anyone really has to do is look back at Gladiator's story to start piecing some intriguing theories together. 

Denzel Washington’s potential casting comes not too long after The Banshees of Inishirin star/Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan is also in negotiations to join Gladiator 2. On tap to potentially play Emperor Publius Septemus Geta, one might assume that Keoghan and Mescal will have an antagonistic relationship. As Lucius’ connection to Russell Crowe’s Maximus might put him at odds with Keoghan’s Publius, that might be all it takes for Paul Mescal to be made our new gladiator.

More to come…