"Gladiator II" may have taken over two decades to come to fruition, but Paul Mescal is already thinking about a third installment.

Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal also star in the sequel that brings superb spectacle and storytelling in equal measure.

From the very beginning, it is evident the sequel's entire existence relies on Gladiator nostalgia — from the recap-esque opening credits to multiple flashbacks throughout the story, recycled quotes and items like Maximus' armour and Marcus Aurelius' ring, and a pointed use of Hans Zimmer's iconic soundtrack.