A pair of recent Oscar-nominated actors, who both came up short over the weekend, might have found a way to get over their losses together. THR reports that The Banshess of Inisherin‘s Barry Keoghan is in talks to join Aftersun star in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator sequel.
If signed, Keoghan would take on the role of Emperor Geta, which could be interesting to see the Irish actor play a Roman leader. Mescal will play the now grown-up Lucius, played in the original film by Spencer Treat Clark, and heavily influenced by the sacrifice made by Russell Crowe’s Maximus.
It’s worth noting that the real-life Geta was Roman Emperor alongside his military father and brother, but when the patriarch died, the brothers couldn’t rule together and Geta was murdered within months.
Exactly how much of Geta’s real story will be used is anyone’s guess. Probably not much. No matter what, Keoghan and Mescal is an incredible foundation for Scott to build upon.
Gladiator 2 is set to open on November 22nd 2024.
