Denzel Washington and Ridley Scott are set to collaborate once again for Gladiator sequel, 16 years after the release of the first film.
According to Deadline, Washington is in final negotiations to co-star in the film, which will be directed by Scott, alongside Paul Mescal. The project is being produced by Scott Free, with Doug Wick & Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment. The script was penned by David Scarpa, while costume designer Janty Yates and production designer Arthur Max are also returning from the original film.
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Gladiator, released in 2000, was a major success, grossing more than $460 million worldwide and earning 12 Academy Award nominations, winning five, including Best Picture. Russell Crowe starred as Maximus, a Roman general who becomes a gladiator and fights for his freedom and revenge. The role catapulted Crowe to leading-man status and earned him the Best Actor Oscar.
The sequel is set years after the events of the first film and will feature Lucius, the son of Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen. Lucius was saved by Maximus and left a strong impression on the young boy.
Washington’s, a two-time Oscar winner, role in the film has been kept under wraps. His involvement was uncertain initially, but after reading the script, sources close to the project said that he was excited about the role Scott had written for him. Washington has previously worked with both Ridley and his late brother Tony Scott on several films, including Crimson Tide and Man on Fire.
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The two also teamed up for the 2007 crime thriller American Gangster, which also starred Crowe. The film was a box office hit and earned critical acclaim. Washington was last seen in his Oscar-nominated role in The Tragedy of Macbeth and will appear in the third Equalizer film for Sony later this year. He is represented by WME.