LONDON (AP) — Irish actor Paul Mescal wears Oscar winner Russell Crowe’s sandals and fights in the Colosseum in “Gladiator II,” filmmaker Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to the ancient Rome power saga.

Set 16 years after the death of Crowe’s hero Maximus in the original 2000 “Gladiator” film, the sequel is based on Mescal’s character Lucius, a prisoner who is rescued after his homeland is conquered by a fleet of Roman warships led by General Acacius. He is then transported to Rome, played by Pedro Pascal.

Lucius’ fierce battle impresses Denzel Washington’s conniving Macrinus, who forces the prisoner into the Colosseum to fight as a gladiator.

Meanwhile, Acacius and his wife Lucilla, portrayed by “Gladiator” alumnus Connie Nielsen, are plotting to end the tyrannical rule of the evil emperors Gaeta and Caracalla, played by Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, respectively.

“Every role I play comes with a huge amount of pressure; this is no different,” Mescal told Reuters at the film’s global premiere in London, which was also attended by Britain’s King Charles.

“The scale is huge, but it’s hard to make films in any context and I’m incredibly proud of it.”

“Gladiator” won five Oscars, including the Best Actor award for Crowe. The sequel is Mescal’s first blockbuster. The 28-year-old rose to fame on the television mini-series “Normal People” and is best known for the films “Aftersun” and “All of Us Strangers.”

He said, “It was nothing I expected and it was everything I expected and I would love to do it again with someone like Ridley.”

“Gladiator II” features stunning digitally-assisted fight scenes, including a shark-infested Colosseum.

Nielsen said, “Twenty years later, Ridley now has access to technology that allows him to do anything his incredible mind can think of.” “It’s spectacular and huge and dynamic.”

She said reprising the role of Lucilla was “incredibly emotional and incredibly touching”.

Overall reviews of the film have been positive, but many critics have said that it does not live up to the original.

“Gladiator II” begins its global cinema roll-out Thursday.

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