An accident occurred during the production of Gladiator 2 in Morocco last week that necessitated medical treatment for six crew members. Variety reported that, as of Friday, four individuals remained hospitalized with burn injuries.

A spokesperson for Paramount Pictures told the outlet that “while filming a planned stunt sequence on the set of the Gladiator sequel, an accident occurred during which several crew members experienced non-life-threatening injuries. The safety and full medical services teams on-site were able to act quickly so that those who were impacted immediately received necessary care. They are all in stable condition and continue to receive treatment.”

The studio said they “will continue monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions as we resume production."

No cast members were injured in the accident.

But speaking of cast members … director Sir Ridley Scott’s return to the glory that was Rome has perhaps the most promising cast of any major movie in production right now. Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal will star as the sword-wielding Lucius, who, if you recall the first movie, was the young boy that looked up to Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius as something of a father figure. (Maximus and Lucius’s mother, the widowed Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, were a bit of an item, though Lucius was also the nephew of the villainous Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. (Don’t worry, there will not be a pop quiz about any of this.)

Pedro Pascal is also in the mix—I suppose the Roman nature of the project will turn him from Daddy into Pater. For a hot minute, it looked like Barry Keoghan was going to play the baddie in this, putting two young Irish Oscar nominees against one another. But instead of Keoghan, White Lotus alum Fred Hechinger will play what is rumored to be the role of Emperor Publius Septimius Geta. Suggestion: do not look this guy up on Wikipedia unless you want (what could very well be) the ending to Gladiator 2 spoiled!

Two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington has also been cast, marking the first time the star was worked with Scott since American Gangster. (Washington also starred in five movies directed by Ridley's late brother Tony Scott.) Moon Knight’s May Calaway and Fauda’s Lior Raz have also been cast in unknown roles. Connie Nelson will be reprising her part from the first picture, as will Derek Jacobi, the O.G. of all Roman epics.

One name, of course, is missing. Russell Crowe won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in 2000’s Gladiator (which also won Best Picture, Best Costumes, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects, along with nominations in seven additional categories) but came at a cost. Crowe's character, the brave and noble Maximus, departed this realm and entered the Elysian Fields at the film’s conclusion. As such, Crowe recently admitted in a recent interview that he is “slightly jealous” about the new project.

But even though he has no involvement, he’s still cheering it along, citing excitement that his old director is “creat[ing] something [on] the same level of spectacle as the first one.” He added that “the legs on that film are incredible. Here it is, it’s 2023, and we made that film in 1999. I guarantee you, somewhere around the world tonight, Gladiator is going to be showing on primetime TV.”

To this, though, I say: ineptias! Not about the greatness of Gladiator but of keeping Crowe out of it. It’s ancient Rome! Send Paul Mescal to the oracle’s cave, let him huff some vapors and experience a shuddery vision of Maximus offering him a jolt of courage from beyond the grave. I know there’s a writer’s strike right now, but anyone opposed to such an addition surely deserves a thumbs down.