Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal have fans thirsting over Gladiator 2 first look pictures

Vanity Fair secured the year's top exclusive: the debut images of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II," featuring Denzel Washington and several rising stars, including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger.

The internet's favorite heartthrobs have joined forces to create a film about the fall of the Roman Empire and the revenge journey of a now-adult Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla (Maximus's former lover).

Every single frame from this Vanity Fair release was meticulously crafted for memes, discussions, and thirst traps.

Quinn and Hechinger portray brothers Geta and Caracalla, rulers of Rome. Pedro Pascal teeters on the edge of disaster and a gruesome death as a rebellious citizen, while Paul Mescal, playing Lucius Verus, the heir to the throne, appears in peak physical form in a role that could catapult his career to new heights.

While Scott's original "Gladiator" became a pop culture moment with its gigantic box office success, Academy Award wins (including Best Picture,) it was also one of the last times we thoroughly enjoyed a film without knowing of its impending sequels. But, now we have to. Guess who's coming to save cinema? Paul Mescal's nose!

Check out some of the steamy pictures bellow:

(Image: Paramount Pictures via Vanity Fair)

(Image: Paramount Pictures via Vanity Fair)

(Image: Paramount Pictures via Vanity Fair)

(Image: Paramount Pictures via Vanity Fair)

(Image: Paramount Pictures via Vanity Fair)