Pedro Pascal set the internet on fire with a sneak peek of Gladiator 2. The beloved actor, known for his roles in The Mandalorian and The Last Of Us, shared two intense photos from the upcoming movie, showing his character in a fierce battle with Paul Mescal’s character. He simply captioned the post, “Uh. Oh #Gladiator2,” and fans went wild.
Fans React to the Drama
Pascal’s followers didn’t hold back their excitement. I mean, what’s better than seeing Mescal and Pascal all scruffy and dirty in leather skirts?
Many fans also playfully begged Pascal not to meet another on-screen demise, with one top comment reading, “I think I speak for everyone when I kindly request that you don’t die for once.”
A weapon flies right at Pascal’s face in the exclusive pictures, so the odds may not be in his favor.
Meet the New Characters
In Gladiator 2, Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius, a Roman general trained under the original film’s hero, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Pascal shared with Vanity Fair that his character is that of a skilled leader caught up in the whirlwind of his actions. “I think that a lot happens before you can stop and question what you’ve done. And then of course there’s no changing it,” Pascal said. “He’s a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer.”
Opposite Pascal is Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus. Fans of the original movie will remember Lucius as the young boy co-ruling Rome with the sinister emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Lucius is the son of Lucilla (Connie Neilsen) and the grandson of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris).
Russell Crowe’s Take on the Sequel
Russell Crowe, who starred as Maximus in the original Gladiator, won’t be making a return. His character’s death in the first film rules out a comeback. On the Kyle Meredith With… podcast, Crowe admitted he feels “slightly uncomfortable” about Ridley Scott’s decision to make a sequel. “I have no say in what gets done,” he revealed.
When Can You Watch?
Gladiator 2 will hit theaters on November 22 (the same day as Wicked, if anyone is wondering).
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