Barry Keoghan Suddenly Dropped Out Of Huge Sequel Movie
Barry Keoghan has left Gladiator 2, citing a scheduling conflict.
Barry Keoghan has dropped out of Gladiator 2 due to scheduling conflicts. The Irish actor was set to portray Emperor Geta in Paramount’s sequel to the Academy Award-winning 2000 film from director Ridley Scott. According to Deadline, The White Lotus actor Fred Hechinger is currently in negotiations to take on the role.
Although Barry Keoghan exited Gladiator 2, May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Peter Mensah, and Matt Lucas have joined the project. Derek Jacobi is returning to his role as Gracchus from the original film. They join the previously announced cast, which includes Paul Mescal in the titular role, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen, who will be reprising her role as Lucilla.
Ridley Scott returns to the director’s chair with David Scarpa writing the script. The sequel comes more than two decades after the original blockbuster, which features Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius. Gladiator was a critical and financial success, earning over $460 million at the global box office. The movie was nominated for 12 Oscars, taking home the Best Picture trophy and four others.
Despite losing Barry Keoghan, Gladiator 2 will be released on November 22, 2024, by Paramount Pictures. Ridley Scott will serve as a producer for the film, along with Michael Pruss, the President of Scott Free, as well as Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher through Red Wagon Entertainment. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will take on executive producing duties.
Barry Keoghan was the perfect actor to portray Geta in Gladiator 2. The character was a real Roman Emperor in the early 3rd century, with his father Septimius Severus and older brother Caracalla from 209. Severus died in 211, and although he wanted his sons to rule together, they were incapable of sharing power. This resulted in the murder of Geta in December of that year.
Barry Keoghan still has a lot to celebrate without the Gladiator 2 credit. Fresh off an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the 1920s-set film The Banshees of Inisherin, the 30-year-old stood out among the ensemble cast that earned a remarkable nine Academy Award nominations.
Although he is best known for indie films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Keoghan appeared as Druig in Marvel’s Eternals. He also made a notable appearance in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, where speculation arose about his potential as a forerunner to The Joker. He is currently filming Trey Edward Shults’ latest project, which features an impressive cast, including Jenna Ortega and The Weekend.
Barry Keoghan is also working on a movie called Bring Them Down, which is probably why he had to exit Gladiator 2. The actor will next be seen in the upcoming black comedy-drama thriller Saltburn. The movie is written, directed, and produced by Emerald Fennell and began filming in July 2022.
Inspired by The Talented Mr. Ripley, the story follows a college student obsessed with his wealthy classmate from an aristocratic family. Although Barry Keoghan is missing Gladiator 2, his career isn’t slowing down any time soon.
