Looks like Barry Keoghan won’t be donning a toga after all, folks. The Irish actor, known for giving us the heebie-jeebies in roles like the Joker, had to bail on Gladiator II thanks to a scheduling snafu.
Keoghan was all set to play Emperor Caracalla, but now Fred Hechinger’s stepping into those imperial sandals. Director Ridley Scott’s cooking up a revenge tale that’s got us all hyped, following Lucius (remember that kid from the first flick?) as he goes after the twin emperors.
Our boy Barry’s pretty bummed about it, calling himself a “massive fan” of the OG Gladiator. But hey, when you’re trying to juggle shoots in different countries, sometimes you gotta pick your battles.
Don’t worry though, this sequel’s still stacked with stars. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington are ready to rumble in the Colosseum. Mark your calendars for November 22, 2024 - that’s when Gladiator II hits theaters.
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