Hollywood icon Denzel Washington is in talks to star in the sequel of Ridley Scott’s Best Picture Oscar-winning film Gladiator for Paramount, according to American entertainment magazine Deadline.
The upcoming film is likely to reunite the two 16 years after American Gangster, which also starred Gladiator actor Russell Crowe. Sources close to the project said Washington was excited about the bad-ass role Scott had written with him in mind. However, the details of the role have been kept under wraps.
Aftersun actor Paul Mescal is already roped in to star in one of the lead roles in the film. He will reportedly play Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), as a grown man as the story takes place years after the first film ended.
Scott will also produce the film, which is penned by David Scarpa. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are executive producing the movie. Also returning from the original film are costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max.
The original film was a co-production between Universal and DreamWorks. While DreamWorks will not be involved in the sequel, Universal has the right to partner again when the project is packaged.
The 2000 blockbuster Gladiator with Russell Crowe had earned more than USD 460 million at the worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards. It ended up winning five, including the best picture trophy.
