Ridley Scott’s (Alien: Romulus) Gladiator II will make its Asian premiere at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 5, marking a significant milestone for Japan’s premier film event. Starring Paul Mescal (Normal People), Denzel Washington (The Equalizer 3), Fred Hechinger (Thelma), and Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman 1984), the film will be featured as the festival’s Centerpiece screening.

Gladiator II (2024) is set over a decade after the story in the original film, with Mescal playing Lucius Verus II, a former slave-turned-gladiator seeking revenge. The film, based on a screenplay by David Scarpa (Napoleon), explores themes of power, legacy, and retribution in the historical setting.

The Tokyo International Film Festival, which aims to highlight the year’s most anticipated films, is offering a platform to kick off Gladiator II’s Asian box office run. While Ridley Scott will not be attending, the cast will appear in full force, with Mescal making his first visit to Japan.

The original Gladiator (2000) was a major box-office success, and with this new film and dynamic cast, festival organizers expect a strong reception. Gladiator II is slated for a wider theatrical release, including North America on November 22.