Denzel Washington is reuniting with director Ridley Scott to star in Scott’s sequel to his blockbuster hit, Gladiator.

Deadline reports that Washington is in final negations to star opposite Paul Mescal in the upcoming film. The move brings Washington and Scott back together for the first time in 16 years, when Washington starred in another of Scott’s bos office hits, American Gangster.

According to Deadline, Washington was presented with the offer to be in the film without knowing if he would actually take it, but after reading the script, Washington was said to be excited about the role Scott had in mind for him.

The Gladiator sequel will also bring back original Gladiator crew Janty Yates and Arthur Max. Yates designed the costumes for the original film, while Max served as production designer.

Scott will produce via his company Scott Free with Scott Free president Michael Pruss and Red Wagon Entertainment’s Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are also executive producing.

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