Barry Keoghan speaks up about exit from the “Gladiator Sequel”

Barry Keoghan won't star in Gladiator 2, opted for the Andrea Arnold film "Bird” instead.

Irish actor Barry Keoghan recently shed light on his departure from the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 historical epic, "Gladiator." Initially cast as Emperor Geta, Keoghan ultimately had to step down due to scheduling issues.

News of Keoghan's involvement in "Gladiator 2" sparked excitement among fans. However, his exit shortly after left many wondering about the reason behind his decision.

 Speculation swirled, with some suggesting Keoghan prioritized working with director Andrea Arnold on her upcoming film, "Bird."

In an interview with IndieWire at the Cannes Film Festival, Keoghan confirmed that scheduling conflicts were indeed the culprit. "I am a massive fan of Gladiator and a massive fan of that cast," he said. "[But] it's a shame you can't do both. But that happens in this game. You can't do both. It always happens. Shooting in two different countries as well makes it really difficult."

Keoghan's decision seems to have paid off critically. "Bird" premiered at Cannes to a standing ovation and garnered positive reviews, with particular praise directed at Keoghan's performance. 

Though the film's initial 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes has since dropped to 73%, it still indicates a generally favorable reception.

Meanwhile, "Gladiator 2" remains on track for a November 22, 2024 release. Paul Mescal will now take on the lead role, while Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington join the cast. Fred Hechinger has replaced Keoghan as Emperor Geta.