‘Gladiator 2’: Barry Keoghan Exits As Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, & More Join, Derek Jacobi Returns

There’s been a casting shake-up on Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel. Deadline reports Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin actor Barry Keoghan has dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Fortunately, another rising star talent has jumped at the opportunity as the full is finalized.

According to the report, Fred Hechinger has stepped in to replace Keoghan in the role of Emperor Geta. Joining Hechinger are Moon Knight breakout May Calamawy, Spartacus and Snake Eyes actor Peter Mensah, actor/comedian Matt Lucas, and 6 Underground‘s Lio Raz.

Also set to reprise his role as Senator Gracchus is veteran actor Derek Jacobi. Gracchus was an ally of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, which put him odds with the villainous Commodus.

Jacobi joins Connie Nielsen and Djimon Hounsou as one of the few who are returning for the sequel. The rest of the impressive cast is led by Oscar nominee Paul Mescal as the grown-up Lucius Verus II, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn.

Gladiator 2 opens on November 22nd 2024.

Travis Hopson
Travis Hopson has been reviewing movies before he even knew there was such a thing. Having grown up on a combination of bad '80s movies, pro wrestling, comic books, and hip-hop, Travis is uniquely positioned to geek out on just about everything under the sun. A vampire who walks during the day and refuses to sleep, Travis is the co-creator and lead writer for Punch Drunk Critics. He is also a contributor to Good Morning Washington, WBAL Morning News, and WETA Around Town. In the five minutes a day he's not working, Travis is also a voice actor, podcaster, and Twitch gamer. Travis is a voting member of the Critics Choice Association (CCA), Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA), and Late Night programmer for the Lakefront Film Festival.