From Eddie To Emperor: ‘Stranger Things’ Breakout Star Joseph Quinn In Talks For ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Role
Joseph Quinn may go from fighting paranormal creatures to battling gladiators.
Quinn, who played the beloved Eddie Munson in the fourth season of the Netflix hit Stranger Things, is in negotiations to play Emperor Caracalla in the as-yet untitled sequel to Gladiator for Paramount.
Connie Nielsen, who played Lucilla in the 2000 hit movie, has already signed on to the sequel. Quinn and Nielsen will join Paul Mescal, who will star as Lucius, as well as Barry Keoghan and Denzel Washington, who are committed to appear. Ridley Scott will direct the sequel to his hit.
The original Gladiator earned more than $460 million in worldwide box office and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning five, including Best Picture and a Best Actor award for star Russell Crowe.
The first Gladiator followed Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a former general who is sold into slavery and forced to fight as a gladiator under the rule of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), a patricidal self-appointed emperor of Rome.
The sequel’s story is said to revolve around Mescal’s character Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus (Phoenix). Djimon Hounsou is expected to return as Juba, a fellow gladiator and onetime ally of Maximus (Crowe).
David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on All The Money In the World and is partnering with him on the upcoming Napoleon movie, will write the script. Michael Pruss, Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher will co-produce. Paramount Pictures has slated the film for release on November 22nd, 2024.
Quinn has another high-profile role coming up; he has a starring role in A Quiet Place spin-off A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.