Watch the Epic First Trailer for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II

The wait is finally over. We have our first preview of Gladiator II in the form of an extended trailer, and it is every bit as gritty, gruelling and gorgeous as we expected.

Those first reactions calling the film "thrilling" and "Oscar worthy " out of CinemaCon were not messing around, as the historical epic following the son of Maximus's love Lucilla returns with vigor to the world Ridley Scott built a quarter of a century ago.

Paul Mescal is locked in and ready to shoulder the battle of a lifetime, where we see him face off against bloody challenges.

That's not all that's packed into this first look, however. There's blood, brutality and even rhinos as we are plunged head-first into the coliseum alongside Mescal's Lucius.

He is joined by a dazzling ensemble, including Pedro Pascal and a menacing Joseph Quinn lurking.

Other cast members joining the fray include Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, and Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.

The official synopsis as per Paramount reads:

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

While the action is the sell, Gladiator II 's stunning aesthetic will launch fans back to 2000 as Ridley Scott reunites with Gladiator cinematographer John Mathieson and production designer Arthur Max, who each scored Oscar nominations for their work on the first film.

Gladiator II launches in theaters on November 22.