Paul Mescal set to star in Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 film

Proving Paul Mescal is rising the ranks in Hollywood, the actor is set to star in Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 film.

The news was confirmed in an exclusive to Deadline, with sources close to the project telling the outlet that the Normal People star is in negotiations to lead the anticipated sequel.

This will no doubt serve as an exciting update for fans of the original flick, which was released all the way back in 2000.

Scott's Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe as Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, was a huge success with audiences and critics alike, and went on to bag a whopping five Oscar awards.

Although there have been talks of a sequel over the years, no solid plans were put forward - but this all changed last year when the Alien director confirmed a follow-up was in the pipeline.

And it looks like the project is moving along nicely, with new details emerging today (6 January).

As for Mescal, insiders told the publication that the 26-year-old actor was one of the first to sit down with Scott.

Although the filmmaker met with plenty of other talent, they said it was clear to everyone Mescal was the top choice as the meeting went so well.

Which is quite the feat, considering some of the other actors who went for the role.

BBC

According to The Hollywood Reporter writer Borys Kit, he may just have beaten competition from people like Dune star Timothée Chalamet and Miles Teller of Top Gun: Maverick fame, among others.

Kit tweeted: "The actors that were chasing the role, or that were being chased for it, in a process that included meetings and auditions, included Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden, and Timothée Chalamet."

Deadline went on to describe the role that Mescal is set to fill, and anyone who's seen the original will understand why he won't be taking over as Crowe's Roman general-turned-gladiator.

And that is because he dies in the first film - sorry if that's a spoiler, although you've had nearly 23 years to watch the movie at this point.

No, instead the sequel is set to focus on Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus, who the child watched being killed by Maximus.

The film will be set years after the first when Lucius is all grown up, and no doubt the events of the first flick will have had quite an impact on his life.

In short, there's a lot to be excited about, especially now we can expect further updates in the coming months.

All aboard the hype train!