Gladiator 2 first poster: A belligerent Paul Mescal set himself up for combat

Ahead of the release of the much-anticipated trailer of Gladiator 2, the makers have released a new poster featuring Paul Mescal. The poster does not reveal the actor's face but displays a torso with a slight jaw reveal.

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up of the 2000 film, Gladiator. Both the original and the sequel are helmed by Ridley Scott. Gladiator 2 is set years after the first film's events, and it will focus on Lucius (Paul), who is the young nephew of Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original film. Lucius was saved by Maximus ( Russell Crowe) when he defeated Commodus in combat.

The sequel also boasts an ensemble cast including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, among others. It is to be noted that actors Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, who played the roles of Lucilla and Senator Gracchus in the original film, will reprise their roles.

Gladiator 2 will be backed by Ridley, along with Doug Wick, Michael Pruss and Lucy Fisher. The script is written by David Scarpa. The film is slated for a theatrical release on November 15 in the UK and in India and November 22 in the US this year.