Joseph Quinn costars in A Quiet Place: Day One, which is crushing at the box office, so he’s very much top of mind in the entertainment industry.
In addition to a big-time role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie, Quinn is part of a loaded ensemble in yet another blockbuster, Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Gladiator II.
Vanity Fair gave us a first look on Monday at the ambitious sequel — whose budget is estimated as high as $310 million — with tons of behind-the-scenes photos. While Pedro Pascal (new Reed Richards) looks badass as ever, leading man Paul Mescal is straight-up shredded for the part, and Denzel Washington is drawing plenty of buzz, Quinn’s eccentric appearance really stood out.
First Look: Paul Mescal is Lucius in 'Gladiator II.'
See more images from Ridley Scott's upcoming film: https://t.co/WWYVKnybYX pic.twitter.com/Y1WFNN0rWJ
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
Pedro Pascal is Marcus Acacius in ‘Gladiator II,’ a Roman general said to have trained under Russell Crowe’s Maximus.
Acacius “learned from the best,” says Pascal, ”so of course this code of honor is ingrained into his training.”
🔗: https://t.co/gAx21xnsTB pic.twitter.com/qeZXkgukVb
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) July 1, 2024
First look at Joseph Quinn in Ridley Scott’s ‘GLADIATOR 2.’https://t.co/OI2mTFd581 pic.twitter.com/AVJ3HGIbxB
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 1, 2024
Look at this man! Oh yeah. Joaquin Phoenix’s evil emperor from the OG Gladiator was a formidable antagonist, and Quinn is stepping into those shoes (sandals?) in a way as a co-emperor named Geta. Quinn has teased before that his ruthless ruler will be a bit louder than Phoenix’s notably restrained character.
Quinn made a one-episode appearance during Season 7 of Game of Thrones under the direction of eventual Fantastic Four filmmaker Matt Shakman. For those of you who dig the iconic show, you’ll likely agree with many on Twitter who insist there’s an obvious resemblance to Cersei Lannister in Quinn’s Gladiator II getup.
cersei understands the consequences of her absence and she is absent anyway, which means she does not intend to suffer those consequences. the trial can wait. we all need to leave. https://t.co/gsen47riio
— r*n! (@dazedlewis) July 1, 2024
Scrolled too fast and got a Cersei Lanniater jump scare https://t.co/zAvrUJRLQf
— Ash Parrish (@adashtra) July 1, 2024
Joseph Quinn in Gladiator 2 is giving me RDJ as Kirk Lazarus in Satan’s Alley in Tropic Thunder. pic.twitter.com/Z7grL71mll
— Luke Hearfield (@LukeHearfield) July 1, 2024
Denzel in god mode? Joseph Quinn rocking a Cersei wig? brace yourselves, Ridley’s about to drop a banger https://t.co/Woauj64plb
— Russell (@RussellHFilm) July 1, 2024
I don't care what you say, I think Holly Hunter looks great for her age: https://t.co/IMLcD0E0Tu pic.twitter.com/NLisEknISP
— BostonWriter (@bostonwriter) July 1, 2024
— J.D. (@JohnnydNba) July 1, 2024
Looking like he’s about to leave his wife and kid for Ariana Grande https://t.co/XsFQVAO1Xc
— d*niel (@slayonetta) July 1, 2024
What a run Joseph Quinn is on. Only really rivaled by Austin Butler amongst actors who are in their early 30s. Quinn exploded thanks to his breakout role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things 4, which I’m coincidentally rewatching right now for some odd reason. Looking back on it, yep, Quinn was even better in that show than I remembered. He’s gone from relative obscurity to prominent Quiet Place character, Gladiator II emperor, and Marvel superhero.
Each of those three projects will have released within the past year or so once Fantastic Four bows on July 25 of next year. Quite the acting range to pull all those off, too. Based on how well the latest Quiet Place entry is doing, Quinn is already one for three.
Although these movies are based on preexisting IP, they weren’t without risks. Gladiator II has a huge price tag and tons of other stars in it. Marvel’s first family hasn’t translated very well to the silver screen historically. Building on the mythology of the Quiet Place universe and touching on its origins without John Krasinski in the director’s chair was a bold choice, too. I’m like 95% sure Fantastic Four will be a hit. The only thing stopping Gladiator II from a commercial success standpoint is the huge budget, but it should garner plenty of critical acclaim.
I will be seated for Gladiator II to see Quinn in all his Cersei-esque glory, not to mention all the other world-class talent involved in that production. Should be pretty epic.
