"Moon Knight" Star May Calamawy Joins "Gladiator" Sequel

Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy recently joined the cast of the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2000 historic epic movie “Gladiator“.

The sequel has added Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas as well as Derek Jacobi, who will reprise his role as Gracchus from the 2000 blockbuster.

Also in talks to join the remaining cast is “Kraven the Hunter” and “The White Lotus” star Fred Hechinger, who is in negotiations to play Emperor Geta, after Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan dropped out of negotiations due to a scheduling conflict.

The new additions join a star-studded cast, led by Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen, who will also be reprising her role as Lucilla.

“Gladiator 2“ was announced in 2018 and sees Filmmaker Ridley Scott returning as director to the follow-up of his war movie.

The sequel is described by producers as a “legitimate” follow-up to the 2000 blockbuster hit “Gladiator,” which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won five, including best picture. It earned $460 million at the box office.

The original movie starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a former Roman General forced into slavery before seeking revenge against the emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) who murdered his family.

The blockbuster was a critical and commercial hit, earning $460m globally, and also won five Academy Awards, including the coveted best picture gong and best actor for Crowe, while also scooping a string of other accolades including Baftas and Golden Globes.

It is scripted by Peter Craig and will take place in a 25-30 year time jump. The sequel follows Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Nielsen) in the original. The role was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the 2000 movie.

Scott is also set to produce the project along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss and Red Wagon Entertainment’s Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. David Scarpa wrote the screenplay. Paramount will produce the movie.

Universal, which backed the first movie along with DreamWorks, has the right to co-produce the movie once it has been set up.

"Gladiator" hits theatres on November 22, 2024.