Two decades after Russell Crowe made history at the 73rd Academy Awards for his starring role in the historic epic Gladiator, a sequel is about to hit screens with a new storyline and cast.

With director Ridley Scott back behind the camera, and starring Irish actor Paul Mescal as Lucius (the nephew of Crowe’s character, Maximus Decimus Meridius), Gladiator II has all the might and power of the original with epic Roman era sets, fight scenes and (this time) a bunch of CGI rhinos inside the Colosseum.

Filling big shoes, Mescal (All of Us Strangers, Aftersun), 28, said the legacy 60-year-old Crowe left was “extraordinary”.

“I think I was consciously trying to get out of my head, like, the projections that people might have of what this film means,” he told Total Film before the November 13 premiere.

“I didn’t watch it after I was cast, and then watched it on New Year’s Day with my friends, which was amazing … and there’s nothing really to be gained [by studying it in preparation] as it’s a different character.”

Timely advice

Ridley, 86, who cast Mescal after a 30-minute Zoom audition, also gave Mescal some key advice on the first day of filming.

” … [there were] a couple of hundred to a thousand SAs [supporting artists/extras], with fires burning, and the walls of Morocco, I was like, ‘Ooh – this is f–king big’.

“But… the first thing [Ridley] said before filming was, ‘Your nerves are no f–king good to me’ … which is Ridley in a nutshell, but it’s the perfect thing to say, because it’s so liberating.”

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a power player in Rome who wants to overthrow the current leaders, and Connie Nielsen returns as Lucius’ mother Lucilla and Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) plays one of the film’s key villains, General Marcus Acacius.

Other offerings

Saturday Night: October 31

At exactly 11.30pm on October 11, 1975, a bunch of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever.

Directed by Jason Reitman and told in real time, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes for the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.

It has received mixed reviews, with the New York Times saying it’s a mild spin on what was a chaotic period in live TV and The Guardian describing it as a “dull and self-indulgent mess”.

For the record, SNL is still on air.

Here: October 31

From the reunited director, writer and stars of Forrest Gump, Here is an original film about generations of families and the place they inhabit over the course of a century.

Set in the same set space, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright star in the story of their love, loss, laughter and life.

The use of de-ageing technology to kick the story along has left some critics “distracted”.

The Moogai: October 31

Sarah and Fergus, a hopeful young Aboriginal couple, give birth to their second baby.

But what should be a joyous time of their lives becomes sinister when Sarah starts seeing a malevolent spirit she is convinced is trying to take her baby.

Shaun of the Dead: October 31

It was an instant classic in 2004, and is as timelessly ridiculously funny as it was back then – and a goodie for belated Halloween viewing on the big screen.

Starring Simon Pegg (whose career blossomed with the Mission: Impossible franchise) and Nick Frost, with a supporting cast of Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton, a whole town of zombies try unsuccessfully to kill Pegg and Frost.

Paddington (2014): November 7

The little movie about a Peruvian bear is getting a re-run to warm up audiences for Paddington in Peru (Paddington 2 is in cinemas November 14) which is due to premiere in January next year.

The much-loved live action comedy, with Ben Whishaw (James Bond’s Q) as Paddington, Nicole Kidman and Jim Broadbent, starts with his origin story, travelling to London in search of a home.

Audrey: November 7

Premiering at the 2024 SXSW film and television festival in Sydney, screenwriter Lou Sanz tells filmink.com.au the casting for this Aussie dark comedy is “brilliant”.

Audrey is about Ronnie Lipsick (Jackie van Beek), a former soap star who crowned herself ‘Mother of the Year’ but is stuck in the slow-burn hell of unfulfilled dreams and suburban purgatory.

“Her acting career fizzled out early. Her eldest daughter, Audrey (Josephine Blazier), conveniently falls into a coma, and Ronnie takes the chance to finally become the star she was always meant to be – by living Audrey’s life,” explains Sanz.

Red One: November 7

After a villain kidnaps Santa from the North Pole, an E.L.F (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative (Dwayne Johnson) must partner with the world’s most accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find Santa and save Christmas.

Wicked: November 21

If the trailer is anything to go by, this stunning screen adaptation of the iconic musical is a must-see for all ages, and could even surpass the 1930s origin story.

Starring Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film unveils the untold tale of the witches of Oz and their unlikely friendship at Shiz University.

Also starring Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, who portrays the regal headmistress Madame Morrible.

Moana 2: November 28

Experience an unforgettable journey with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ musical, with Moana, Maui and a new crew of seafarers on an adventurous voyage through the vast and mysterious oceans of Oceania.