Fans who have been waiting for a look at the sequel to 2000’s Gladiator will finally get their chance tomorrow, when the trailer officially premieres. It’s been almost two and a half decades since Ridley Scott released the sand-and-sandals epic, Gladiator, which took home five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. In anticipation of the trailer, Paramount debuted the first teaser poster.
While Maximus’ story ended in Gladiator, it’s now his Commodus’ nephew Lucius (this time around played by Paul Mescal) to take to the arena against the Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Years later, we find the former emperor-to-be Lucius living in Africa outside the Roman Empire, When Acacius comes to conquer it, he captures Lucius and brings him back to Rome to fight in the arena. Lucius’ mother Lucilla (the returning Connie Nielsen) is now in love with the Roman general and doesn’t recognize her son after years away.