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Paul Mescal plays Lucius Gladiator II.

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

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Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Paul Mescal plays Lucius Gladiator II.

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

The new movie Gladiator II is a sequel to GladiatorOscar-winning sword-and-sandal blockbuster starring Russell Crowe. It tells a similar story – a soldier, sold into slavery, becomes a gladiator in the Roman arena. This time it’s Paul Mescal, whose prowess in the Colosseum brings him fame, who threatens Rome’s tyrannical rulers. The film is directed by Ridley Scott and also stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

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