Gladiator 2 set to add The Batman’s Barry Keoghan

Oscar-nominated stars Barry Keoghan and Paul Mescal could be joining forces for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, it’s been revealed that The Batman‘s Keoghan is currently in talks to play Emperor Geta in the historical epic, with Aftersun‘s Mescal already onboard as the grown-up version of Lucius Verus (taking over from the original’s Spencer Treat Clark).

With a summer shoot said to be on the cards, the Irishman could be signing on soon.

Meanwhile, Gladiator’s Connie Nielsen previously heaped praise on legendary filmmaker Scott for fighting to make her character Lucilla (Mescal’s character Lucius’ mother) a progressive one back in 2000.

“It was one of the things that made me feel so grateful to be part of the whole film, really,” began the actress. “Ridley really was intent on making this character an equal to those men, if not even more than an equal.

“And I think that he heard me loud and clear when I complained at our very first meeting of the way that Hollywood treats women. I think that he just is somebody who was very intent on making that character be the smartest person in the room, and it was also what made me so proud of playing that character.”

Of a long-speculated follow-up, Nielsen has also shared in the past: “It would obviously be amazing, and I know that a lot of people want to see more of that.

“I think that all of us are just going to have to look at that as a separate [and] different film, but with some of the emotions and values that made Gladiator so powerful for so many people.”

Gladiator 2 is due to be released on November 22, 2024.