Pedro Pascal Nearing Role in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" Sequel

Pedro Pascal is getting close to entering the Coliseum.

The star of The Last of Us and The Mandalorian is in talks to join Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel for Paramount. Scott is already hard at work on the sequel to his 2001 Best Picture Oscar winner, which will see Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla, the sister of Commodus (played in the original by Joaquin Phoenix). Also returning from the original is Djimon Hounsou as the gladiator Juba. Newcomers include rising star Paul Mescal in the lead role, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Barry Keoghan.

The original Gladiator was focused on the former general Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), who was eventually sold into slavery and forced to fight as a gladiator for the amusement of the masses and the self-appointed emperor of Rome, the aforementioned Commodus. The emperor was a proper scoundrel, man-child, and sociopath, and Maximus plotted a brutal but unwavering course toward seeking his revenge against Commodus for having his wife and children slaughtered.

The sequel is reportedly centered on Paul Mescal’s Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, based on a script by David Scarpa, who also wrote the script for Scott’s upcoming film Napoleon (which stars Joaquin Phoenix).

Pascal’s career has taken off after years of notable, scene-stealing performances in supporting roles, from playing Oberyn Martell in season 4 of Game of Thrones to his work as DEA agent Javier Peña in Narcos. With The Mandalorian and then The Last of Us, Pascal has taken center stage. He belongs in the Coliseum.

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Featured image: NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: Pedro Pascal attends “The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent” New York Screening at Regal Essex Crossing on April 10, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)