Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn Join ‘Gladiator 2’

‘Stranger Things’ breakout Joseph Quinn has also joined the film to play a new character, Emperor Caracalla, joining Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Barry Keoghan.

Connie Nielsen in 'Gladiator' and Joseph Quinn in 'Stranger Things.'

Ridley Scott’s plans for his ‘Gladiator’ follow-up just keep getting more and more interesting. Especially in terms of the casting, which is blending rising stars with established names.

And the latest update? Deadline reports that Connie Nielsen is heading back to Ancient Rome to reprise the role of Lucilla, while ‘Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn is joining her to play a character new to the story, that of Caracalla.

The original film, of course, followed Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe), who is betrayed by the sniveling, corrupt Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and ends up in the gladiatorial games, from where he plots his revenge for the murder of his family.

Gladiator II

"Prepare to be entertained."

R2 hr 28 minNov 22nd, 2024

Showtimes & Tickets

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the... Read the Plot

What is the story of ‘Gladiator 2’?

Little is known about the plot for the movie so far as Scott is keeping his cards close to his chest.

But here’s what we know so far…

Crowe has already said he’s not in the new movie, and that makes sense: short of CG-enhanced flashbacks, it’s unlikely, since the character died in the original and went to a lush heavenly zone to reunite with his slaughtered family The story, instead, spins the clock forward a few years and follows ‘Aftersun’ star Paul Mescal as Lucius.

He, you may recall, was the son of Lucilla and the nephew of Commodus, the son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who murdered his father and seized the throne. Commodus wound up in the gladiator ring with Maximus who, though mortally wounded, skewered the emperor before fading into the great. Maximus saved the Lucius and Lucilla while avenging his own family and left a strong impression on the young boy.

Quite what Lucius is up to in the new film remains to be seen, but there’s a chance he’ll be ending up in the arena himself, especially since Mescal has reportedly been training for the role.

‘The Banshees of Inisherin’s Barry Keoghan, meanwhile, is apparently playing the primary antagonist, Roman Emperor Geta (a fictional take on a real-life ruler). We can certainly see Keoghan as a Commodus-style troublemaker.

Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in 'Stranger Things.'

(L to R) Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in 'Stranger Things.' Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.

As for Quinn’s character, he’s a mystery for now, so we don’t know if he’ll be a heroic leader or a villainous schemer. Or both!

And that’s without mentioning the other big star draw for the new movie –– ‘Gladiator 2’ also marks Scott’s reunion with ‘American Gangster’s Denzel Washington, though again his role is being kept quiet beyond it being described as “bad-ass”. Seems fitting…

Scott has the original movie’s costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max, along with cinematographer John Mathieson. Filming should be kicking off shortly, if it hasn’t already –– after all, the director probably has three more movies lined up to make this year on his current prolific run.

He already has ‘Napoleon’ (coincidentally starring Joaquin Phoenix) due in theaters on November 22nd ahead of streaming on Apple TV+.