Gladiator 2 -- See The Stunning First Images From Long-Awaited Sequel

More than two decades after the original Gladiator came to theaters in 2000, Ridley Scott is returning for a sequel. Expectations are high, as the original film won Best Picture and was a smash hit at the box office. It's too soon to say how Gladiator II will fare critically and commercially, but if the first images from the film are anything to go on, it appears Gladiator II is embracing a similarly cinematic and stylish approach.

After releasing the first images exclusively to Vanity Fair, Paramount Pictures has now shared a dozen images from the period film with everyone ahead of the film's first trailer debuting on July 9.

The images showcase main character Paul Mescal, who plays a grown-up Lucius, along with the characters played by Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Denzel Washington. Another image shows Connie Nielsen returning as Lucilla from the first film.

Scroll through the gallery below to see all the new images from Gladiator II.

Gladiator II is directed by Scott from a screenplay written by David Scarpa, and it arrives in theaters on November 22. The story is by Scarpa and Peter Craig, based on characters created by David Franzoni. Gladiator II is produced by Scott and Franzoni, along with Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and Michael Pruss.

Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II. Acacius is a Roman general who is leading the efforts to expand Rome's empire. Acacius trained under Russell Crowe's character Maximus from the original movie, but the character did not appear in the first film.

In the events of the film, Paul Mescal's Lucius is captured and sent to Rome as a prisoner and directed to fight in the arena. Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) is now in love with Acacius, the man who captured Lucius, but Lucilla does not recognize her own son or understand the hell that her new lover put her son through during his capture.

Ultimately, Lucius and Acacius meet in the Colosseum in a fight to the death, as seen in an image below. "Rome represents all the personal neglect that he felt as a child. Suddenly he's thrust back into that world and has direct proximity to all of the things that he thinks he hates and doesn't feel attached to anymore," Mescal said.

Mescal and Alexander Karim as Ravi in Gladiator II. They are looking at the armor worn by Russell Crowe's Maximus from the first Gladiator movie.

Mescal looking shredded. That is all.

Mescal as Lucius preparing for a battle in the arena.

Mescal and Pascal going toe-to-toe in the arena.

Mescal in the arena.

Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla.

Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta.

Connie Nielsen as Lucilla.

Denzel Washington as Macrinus.

Mescal and company preparing for battle in the arena.