The sometimes, but not always, reliable GiantFreakingRobot made the claim yesterday that Barry Keoghan had been cast as the villainous Roman Emperor Geta in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel.
The trades haven’t reported or confirmed it yet. However, that didn’t stop a slew of media outlets from reporting on GFR’s scoop. So, of course, I’ll write about it here, but with a certain sense of caution.
Whether it’s accurate intel or not, I sure hope the Oscar-nominated Keoghan gets to be part of this one. He played a great villain in Lanthimos’ “The Killing of A Sacred Deer.” The kid is talented.
Keoghan is already earning a lot of buzz for his upcoming fall movie “Saltburn,” that one is being directed by “Promising Young Woman” filmmaker Emerald Fennel. The film’s test-screening in February was immensely well-received.
Paramount has dated the ‘Gladiator’ sequel for Nov. 22, 2024. That’s Thanksgiving weekend, so they have high commercial prospects for this one.
In December, I had written that Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel was in pre-production mode and ready to shoot in the summer. The trades finally got with the program in January as Deadline reported that Scott‘s long-awaited sequel was in motion.
“Aftersun” actor Paul Mescal is set to star in the lead role. The Gladiator sequel will be directed by Scott and shot via the lens of DP Dariusz Wolski. Late last year, I wrote that the 85-year-old Scott was in the Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, known as the “Moroccan Hollywood.” Production is being eyed for May.
The sequel will follow Mescal’s Lucius (son of Lucilla and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix's villainous Commodus). If you remember, Maximus saved Lucius from his uncle in the 2000 film. Connie Nielsen, who played Lucilla, is part of the sequel’s cast. So is Djimon Hounsou who is set to return as the once-enslaved Juba.