Ridley Scott is currently plotting the follow-up to his Oscar-winning film Gladiator, and another A-lister just joined the pack. Denzel Washington landed a key role in this highly-anticipated sequel, marking his first film with Scott in almost 16 years.
Washington’s casting in this film is a huge deal since he’s famously picky about his projects. Deadline reported that he initially read the script and agreed to meet with Scott after being impressed by the role he wrote with him in mind. Washington officially came on board after being impressed by Scott’s pitch.
Washington and Scott already showed the world that they’re a match made in heaven all the way back in 2007. Washington starred in Scott’s crime drama American Gangster, which grossed $265 million worldwide. He also appeared in several films by the director’s late brother Tony Scott, including Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable.
Washington will be in pretty good company on the set of The Gladiator sequel since the cast also includes the recent Oscar nominees Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan. The film’s release date has recently been announced, and it will hit the theatres on November 22, 2024, just ahead of Thanksgiving.
