In 2000, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator redefined the modern epic, catapulting Russell Crowe to Oscar glory and reviving Rome’s blood-stained mythology for the big screen. Now, 25 years later, Gladiator 2 returns—bigger, grittier, and star-studded beyond belief. This is not just a sequel. This is Hollywood’s most anticipated power move of 2025. The cast of Gladiator 2 is a masterstroke: a brutal blend of award-winners, indie darlings, and megastars, anchored by Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn. Below is your definitive guide to every actor, character, and stunning detail you won’t find on Rotten Tomatoes—or anywhere else.
Complete Gladiator 2 cast list with roles
| Actor | Character | Background & Role |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Mescal | Lucius Verus | Now grown, son of Lucilla. Raised in exile. Trained as a gladiator. Heir to Maximus’s legend. |
| Denzel Washington | Macrinus | Ex-slave turned arms dealer and gladiator investor; ruthless, calculating, powerful. |
| Pedro Pascal | Marcus Acacius | Former Roman general, disillusioned imperial enforcer with ties to Maximus. |
| Joseph Quinn | Emperor Caracalla | Sadistic, ambitious young emperor. Reminiscent of Commodus, but more unpredictable. |
| Fred Hechinger | Geta | Caracalla’s weak-willed, paranoid brother. A snake in the shadows. |
| Connie Nielsen | Lucilla | Mother of Lucius. Political tactician. The last flame of Roman republicanism. |
| Lior Raz | Viggo | Brutal veteran gladiator loyal to the throne. Symbol of imperial bloodsport. |
| Derek Jacobi | Senator Gracchus | Returning as elder senator. Fighting to preserve a dying republic. |
| Matt Lucas | Master of Ceremonies | Gaudy ringmaster of gladiator games. Dark comic relief. |
| Alexander Karim | Prince Ravi | African noble captured and forced into the arena. |
| Peter Mensah | Marcus | Slave trader with political ambitions. A foil to Macrinus. |
| Tim McInnerny | Imperial Advisor | Puppet-master of the palace. A sinister whisperer behind Caracalla. |
| May Calamawy | (Cut Role) | Removed from film due to pro-Palestinian activism amid 2024 Gaza war. |
⚔️ Paul Mescal as Lucius: From orphan to arena legend
In Aftersun, Paul Mescal gave a quietly devastating performance. In Gladiator 2, he bleeds for legacy. Cast as Lucius, the boy from the first film who watched Maximus die, Mescal now becomes the reluctant heir to that myth. Lucius has lived in exile, trained in secret, and carries the trauma of Rome’s collapse.
Mescal’s preparation was no joke. He bulked up on 4,000 calories a day, trained with ex-Navy SEALs, and fought in real chainmail. In one scene, he battles two lions in a flooded colosseum while on fire—literally.
“This role pushed me into madness. That’s what Ridley wanted.” — Paul Mescal, CBS News
Denzel Washington as Macrinus: The kingmaker
Macrinus isn’t a senator. He’s not a soldier. He’s a capitalist kingmaker. Denzel Washington’s role is a mix of Marcus Licinius Crassus and Elon Musk with a gladius. Once enslaved, Macrinus built an empire selling weapons and funding gladiator schools. He doesn’t swing the sword—he decides who lives.
Sources say Denzel rewrote several of his scenes with Ridley Scott to add more psychological edge.
“He doesn’t fight in the arena. He owns it.” — Ridley Scott, People Magazine
Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius: The fallen general
After ruling hearts in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal returns to ancient combat. His character Acacius once served under Maximus, but became disillusioned. Now, he’s tasked with quelling rebellion and keeping Caracalla alive—at all costs.
Pascal described this as his “most physically punishing role ever,” noting that scenes were filmed in 48°C Moroccan heat.
“Pedro is brutal in this. There’s nothing charming left. Just rage.” — Entertainment Weekly
Joseph Quinn & Fred Hechinger: The brother-emperors
Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) is Caracalla—a tyrant veiled in poetry and paranoia. His co-ruler brother, Geta (played by Fred Hechinger), is anxious, cowardly, and eager to betray. Their twisted alliance echoes real Roman history, where Caracalla had Geta murdered in their mother’s arms.
“It’s like Succession, but with swords.” — Collider
Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla
Connie Nielsen reprises her role from Gladiator—only now, Lucilla is the moral anchor of a dying Rome. Mother to Lucius, advisor to the Senate, and nemesis of the imperial family, she embodies dignity under tyranny.
In a rare interview, Nielsen said she “cried on set” reliving her character’s past trauma.
Did you know? Behind-the-scenes secrets
- May Calamawy’s role was cut from the film after internal studio pressure related to her support for Gaza, according to leaks.
- Paul Mescal reportedly had to ride a war elephant for a pivotal sequence—without CGI.
- Ridley Scott considered bringing back Russell Crowe in dream sequences, but Crowe refused, saying:
“Maximus is dead. Let him stay that way.”
Gladiator 2 release date and US premiere
Release Date: November 22, 2025
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R (graphic violence, political themes, strong language)
Runtime: 2h 38m
Platform: Theaters only (streaming window opens in 2026)
Watch: Official teaser trailer
➡️ Watch on YouTube: Gladiator II – Official Teaser (2025)
The teaser shows Mescal chained in the colosseum, roaring, “Rome forgot me. I’ll make them remember.” It ends with a shot of Denzel Washington watching calmly from the shadows.
FAQ
The cast includes Paul Mescal as Lucius, Denzel Washington as Macrinus, Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, Fred Hechinger as Geta, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Lior Raz as Viggo, and Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus.
Paul Mescal plays Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla. Once a boy inspired by Maximus, he’s now a trained gladiator caught in Rome’s deadly politics.
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a powerful former slave turned weapons dealer and political kingmaker who finances gladiators and manipulates imperial power.
May Calamawy was reportedly removed from the final cast due to her outspoken support for Palestine during the 2024 Gaza war, causing controversy within the studio.
No. Russell Crowe’s character Maximus died in the original film and will not return in the sequel.
Gladiator 2 will release in US theaters on November 22, 2025, distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Gladiator 2 is directed by Ridley Scott, who also directed the original Gladiator film in 2000.
The film will first premiere exclusively in theaters. It is expected to release on streaming platforms in early 2026.
The main villain is Emperor Caracalla, portrayed by Joseph Quinn. He’s depicted as a cruel and unstable ruler with a thirst for dominance.
Gladiator 2 follows Lucius as he reenters Rome’s political chaos and blood-soaked arenas. The film explores legacy, rebellion, power, and the collapse of empire through the eyes of a new generation.
