• The casting of Barry Keoghan in “Gladiator 2” is currently under discussion.
• The film has been ruled out by Russell Crowe.
• Paul Mescal is expected to sign on to star with him.

According to insiders, Paul Mescal from “The Banshees of Inisherin” is expected to sign on to star with him in Sir Ridley Scott’s untitled sequel as a figure named Emperor Gata.

Although the movie’s specifics are being kept under wraps, it has been announced that Paul will play Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla and Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus from the first movie.

The film, which is scheduled for release in 2024 under the direction of Ridley Scott, has been ruled out by Russell Crowe, who also stated that it won’t be a “direct sequel” to the Oscar-winning original.

The 58-year-old star said: “Yeah we’ve had dinner and talked about it and all that stuff. So I know roughly how he’s shaping the story.

“But yeah, if you remember, there was a young kid who wanted to beat the Gladiator, which leads to the ‘My name is’ speech. So that young kid has grown up, and he’s now the Emperor.

“I don’t know what else happens at that point, so that’s the idea. So it’s not a remake. And it’s not a direct sequel. It’s not like the day after, you know, 30 years later or something.”

‘Aftersun’ actor Paul revealed last month that the movie is scheduled to start shooting this summer.

Asked when he’d start work on the film, he said: “In the summer. I’m not sure when the exact start date is but soon.”

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