LOS ANGELES: The star of "Aftersun" and "Normal People" is in negotiations to play the lead role in Ridley Scott's eagerly anticipated "Gladiator" sequel, the 2000 epic that launched Russell Crowe to stardom and later won an Oscar for best picture. The movie, however, is not a prequel, and Mescal will not be donning Crowe's toga. After all, Crowe's character Maximus perished in the Colosseum defending the Republic -- a spoiler only if you somehow missed "Gladiator's" numerous cable TV reruns and despise to, you know, be amused. Instead, Mescal will portray Lucius, Lucilla's son (played by Connie Nielsen in the original film).

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Scott is likely to choose this as his subsequent endeavour as he returns to the land of swords and sandals. Along with Scott Free President Michael Pruss, Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher of Red Wagon Entertainment, and others, he will produce the film. The script was written by David Scarpa. The movie will be made by Paramount. Once the project is put up, Universal, who supported the first film alongside DreamWorks, will co-produce it.

Mescal has been receiving Oscar talk for his performance as a disturbed parent in "Aftersun," and he wowed viewers in "Normal People" as a smart college student. He was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in that show. Both Garth Davis' "Foe" with Saoirse Ronan and Andrew Scott's "Strangers" will include Mescal in the lead roles.

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