While Gladiator 2 will continue the story that began in Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator, it will star a new lead, and should shatter a box office for the up-and-coming star. Following the death of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, Gladiator 2 will advance the story with Paul Mescal, who will star as the grown-up version of Lucius, the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus. Gladiator 2 has completed filming with its new star, and with the release date swiftly approaching, box office projections are a common point of speculation.

Gladiator 2 is a near-lock to be a box office success given the significant star power of its cast list. In addition to Mescal, major roles will be played by Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and the returning Connie Nielsen, among other notable names. While Denzel Washington’s Gladiator 2 role might be the most intriguing, the box office numbers will matter the most to Mescal.