An Inside Look at Pedro Pascal’s Colossal Role in Gladiator 2
Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Marcus Acacius continues to showcase his unrestrained talents with his serious role in the upcoming sequel, Gladiator 2.
Despite appearing in numerous films in the past, Pedro Pascal is making big waves in Hollywood. Amongst performances in the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, and the face of the highly regarded sci-fi series, The Last of Us, Pascal is no stranger to delivering range. His portrayal of Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones proves that the SAG Award-winning actor has the ability to pull off the antiheroic, sword-wielding figure.
Building on the massive success of 2000’s epic historical drama Gladiator, director Ridley Scott has returned to assemble the sequel, Gladiator 2. Performing alongside Pascal, actors such as Paul Mescal (Lucius), Denzel Washington (Macrinus), Joseph Quinn (Emperor Caracalla), and Connie Nielsen (Lucilla) have joined the fictional universe. With an ensemble cast and a sequence of action-packed scenes, audiences can expect to see Pedro Pascal battle in a ferocious arena.
Pedro Pascal in ‘GLADIATOR ll’ pic.twitter.com/XjsshyzfZD
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 23, 2024
Gladiator 2 follows Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius Verus, the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe). The story picks up after his mother, Lucilla, sends him away from Rome in a desperate attempt to protect him from the Roman Empire. While leading a new and short-lived life in Numidia (Northwest Africa) with a wife and child, Lucius is captured by the country that raised him. In exchange for his freedom, he is forced to battle. As a result, he meets Pascal’s character, Marcus Acacius, a former Roman general who received his training under Maximus.
Prior to Gladiator 2, Acacius was an off-screen character who was neither seen nor mentioned in the original film. Nevertheless, his relationship with Maximus plays an essential role in shaping who he becomes after his mentor’s death. In addition to this connection to Maximus, Marcus Acacius is also linked to Lucius Verus through his mother, Lucilla. When Lucius returns to Rome and is forced to fight, he is taken aback to see his mother watching from the stands as he enters the arena. To his surprise, Lucilla is seated beside Acacius, revealing that the two are in a romantic relationship.
In accordance with Pascal’s character, the actor expressed in an interview with Vanity Fair, “I think that a lot happens before you can stop and question what you’ve done. And then, of course, there’s no changing it,” he stated. “He’s a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer.” Nonetheless, the actor has proven himself time and time again as a professional and well-rounded actor, promising fans with an incredible performance.
All things considered, Gladiator 2 is projected to be a major cinematic event. Pascal’s role has the potential to be either an admirable hero or an unforgettable villain.
The Colosseum is calling. #GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/BC9M8003NE
— Gladiator Movie (@GladiatorMovie) September 16, 2024
Scheduled for release internationally on November 15, the film is set to premiere in theaters in the United States and Canada on November 22.
