Barry Keoghan, the Oscar-nominated actor who’s right at home in a good period piece, is in talks to join Paul Mescal in an untitled Ridley Scott film. wrestler sequel, sources say Hollywood Reporter.
Scott is directing a sequel to his 2000 historical epic starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, a former general forced to become a gladiator under the rule of self-proclaimed Roman emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, while Crowe took home a statuette for Best Actor, among the film’s five acclaimed wins. Neither Crowe nor Phoenix’s character survived the proceedings.
sequel will star after the sun Mescal, the Oscar nominee, who is said to play Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus Phoenix. (Spencer Treat Clark played the role in the original movie.)
If a deal is struck, Keoghan will play a character named Emperor Geta. (Geta was an actual Roman Emperor, though the sequel’s story is not based on real events.)
Scott will re-team with All the money in the world Writer David Scarpa, who also wrote the director’s upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte film. Scott will produce with Michael Bruce via Scott Free and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. Walter Parks and Laurie MacDonald are executive producers.
Scott reassembles several key members of the behind-the-scenes team from his original team, including director of photography John Matheson, production designer Arthur Max, and costume designer Janty Yates.
Paramount is behind the project, however wrestler It was a co-production with Universal. Universal will have the option to co-produce Gladiator 2 Once the project is filled out. Paramount has scheduled a November 22, 2024 release for the epic.
Keoghan won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the 1920s set Anisherin from Inisherinone of his nine Academy Award nominations for the critically acclaimed film, and he is known for his not-so-substantial work in films such as Kill a sacred deer And eternal. He also had a small role in Matt Reeves. Batman, which he was teasing to be a possible lead for The Joker. He’s a favorite of the indie scene and is currently filming Trey Edward Shults’ latest film, which also stars Jenna Ortega and The Weeknd.
Keoghan is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and Sloane Offer.
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