Denzel Washington is in final negotiations to join the cast of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" sequel. Washington last worked with Scott 16 years ago on 2007's "American Gangster".

Washington joins Paul Mescal and potentially Barry Keoghan, who were both nominated for Oscars this year, in the historical action epic.

"Gladiator 2" will mark Washington’s second collaboration with director-producer Scott 16 years after "American Gangster". Scott revealed that the sequel to the Oscar-winning 2000 film will take place 20 years later, with Mescal’s role as part of the next generation of the ruling Roman family. The estimated era for the film is the year A.D. 200.

Oscar nominee Mescal is set to star as lead character Lucius, the nephew of since-deceased Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) who was killed by Russell Crowe's Maximus. Lucius is the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and grandson of Marcus Aurelius. Fellow 2023 Oscar nominee Keoghan is also reported to be cast as Emperor Geta.

Washington’s last role came in Joel Coen‘s take on shakespeare's "Macbeth" for Apple, but he has a third "Equalizer" film on the way soon. As for Scott, the workhorse director needs to finish "Napoleon" for Apple before he starts on "Gladiator 2". But Scott and Paramount eye a November 22, 2024 theatrical release for the film, so expect production to begin this summer.

Source: Press Release