“Gladiator 2”: MCU star fishes second lead role, while Marvel star slated as villain steps out

For almost all roles in “Gladiator 2,” Ridley Scott would have known right away who he wanted to cast and directly asked stars such as Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Djimon Hounsou and returning Connie Nielsen. There should have been intensive casting for the two leading roles. After ‘Aftersun’ star Paul Mescal follows in the footsteps of Russell Crowe as the new title hero, the leading lady has now also been found.

Moon Knight star May Calamawy in Gladiator 2

Like the journal reported, could after several casting rounds May Calamawy to persevere. The Egyptian-Palestinian actress made her breakthrough with the Marvel series Moon Knight, where she fell under the spell as Layla El-Faouly.

More cast additions – with a return of “Gladiator”

Reported to her a few more names. In supporting roles too Lior Raz, Dirk Jacobi, Peter Mensa And Matt Lucas contributions.

Jacobi is another returnee. In “gladiatorHe was already on board as Senator Gracchus and is likely to reprise this role. Peter Mensah also brings a wealth of genre experience. In the TV series “Spartacus” he embodied the gladiatorial trainer Drago. It is not known what roles he, the Israeli actor and author Lior Raz behind the Netflix series “Fauda” and the British comedian Matt Lucas (“Little Britain”) will play.

However, for a very important role, Ridley Scott has to look for a replacement at very short notice, but seems to have his sights set on him. The villain needs to be recast.

“White Lotus” star instead of Barry Keoghan as Emperor Geta?

Actually, Barry Keoghan, known for the Marvel movie “The Eternals” and most recently nominated for an Oscar for “The Banshees of Inisherin”, was supposed to take on the role of the Roman Emperor Geta, who is the film’s main villain. Keoghan, who plays the Joker in the new The Batman movies, is said to have followed in the footsteps of Joker star Joaquin Phoenix. But maybe the DC role is to blame for not getting to that point.

now explains that the negotiations could not be completed because a scheduling conflict eventually forced Keoghan to cancel. “The Batman 2” is slated to be shot this year and Keoghan should already be under contract for it after his performance at the end of the predecessor. It is possible that the two large-scale productions could not be reconciled.

Ridley Scott has already set his sights on a successor. Noisy are already negotiating with Fred Hechinger guided. The actor is best known for the series “The White Lotus”, but has recently also appeared on Disney + in “Pam & Tommy” and on Netflix, including in the “Fear Street” trilogy, “The Woman In The Window” and “The Memorable Case of Mr. Poe”. In the cinemas, he can soon be seen in the Marvel movie “Kraven The Hunter”.

“gladiatorial 2‘ is scheduled to hit cinemas around the world in late November 2024. No specific date has yet been announced for Germany, but we currently expect November 23, 2024.