Leave it to Saturday Night Live to give Gladiator II the musical treatment.
On the latest episode of SNL, host Paul Mescal starred in a skit where Gladiator II is reimagined as a musical, inspired by the success of Wicked and Moana 2.
As his character Lucius, the 28-year-old Irish actor hilariously breaks out into song and sings about being misunderstood as a warrior with Kenan Thompson performing a song called “No Place Like Rome.”
Of course, no musical skit would be complete without some kind of Hamilton nod. Mikey Day played the emperor and gave a Lin-Manuel Miranda-inspired rap battle with Mescal.
The Gladiator Twosical musical trailer then ends with Mescal flying off in a broom singing the infamous “Defying Gravity” battle cry from Wicked.
Other hilarious moments from the episode included Dana Carvey returning as his iconic Church Lady character during the cold open, interviewing “sinners” such as Hunter Biden (played by David Spade) who spoke on his recent presidential pardon from President Joe Biden. Other guests included Sarah Sherman as Matt Gaetz, and Marcello Hernández as Juan Soto.
For his opening monologue, Mescal poked fun at his reputation for playing dramatic roles, poked fun at Irish stereotypes and his viral shorts.
Watch those moments below.