Barry Keoghan has entered into negotiations to join Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ sequel.

Keoghan would join fellow 2023 Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal, who is set to star in the Paramount Pictures film. The sequel follows the 2000’s blockbuster hit.

Mescal will play Lucius, the son of Maximus’ lover Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen), in the sequel. Keoghan is in negotiations to play Emperor Geta.

Scott is returning to direct and produce the feature. David Scarpa is penning the script for the sequel, which Michael Pruss via Scott Free, as well as Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment will produce alongside Scott. Executive producers are Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. Also returning from the original film are cinematographer John Mathieson, production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates.

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The original movie starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman soldier forced into slavery who vows revenge against Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

Keoghan’s career has soared since his breakout role in 2017’s ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’. He has since gone on to star in ‘Dunkirk,’ ‘Chernobyl’ and ‘The Green Knight,’ ‘The Batman,’ ‘The Eternals’ and most recently ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ for which he won a BAFTA.