Pedro Pascal is one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood these days after starring in two extremely popular TV series: HBO’s The Last of Us and Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
Pascal is having the time of his life as he recently finished the first season of HBO’s The Last of Us. The TV show has broken several records on the streaming platform and has received critical acclaim for its faithful recreation of the video game it is based on. Then, the prolific actor followed it up with the third season of Mandalorian. Pascal plays Din Djarin aka The Mandalorian in the Disney+ TV series.
Now, it looks like the actor has found a new project while taking a break from The Last of Us and The Mandalorian. Sources revealed to Deadline that Pascal is in the final stages of negotiations to join Ridley Scott’s untitled Gladiator sequel for Paramount Pictures.
Pascal will be joining Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington in the upcoming project. Mescal has been cast as Lucius, the protagonist of the movie. Pascal’s role has not been revealed.
The upcoming sequel will be a follow-up to Gladiator which premiered in 2000. The movie was a critical and commercial success, earning over $460 million at the global box office and receiving 12 Academy Awards nominations. The film starring Russel Crowe went on to win five, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
Crowe’s portrayal of the Roman general-turned-gladiator Maximus was a career changer. Not only did he earn his first Oscar in the movie, but it also launched him to the top of Hollywood’s leading-man list. It comes as no surprise that many were interested in having a part in the sequel.
Ridley Scott will be returning to direct Gladiator 2. Scott will also serve as a producer alongside Scott Free president Michael Pruss and Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. The screenplay was written by David Scarpa. Also returning to the movie are John Mathieson as Director of Photography, production designer Arthur Max, and costume designer Janty Yates.
DreamWorks and Universal Pictures co-produced the original movie. While DreamWorks isn’t involved in the production of the sequel but can partner again with Universal once the film is packaged.
Pascal has several movies coming this year. The actor will next appear alongside Ethan Hawke in the short film Strange Way of Life. The actor will also have a part in Drive Away Dolls which will be released in September. Pascal will also be starring in Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales which will likely come out later this year.
Gladiator 2 is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 22, 2024.
