SNL parodies Gladiator II as a musical with Paul Mescal singing about his role

On Saturday Night Live, a skit imagined "Gladiator II" as a musical, adding 50 minutes of songs to attract audiences. Host Paul Mescal reprised his role as Lucius, singing about being misunderstood as a killing machine. The skit featured Kenan Thompson singing about Rome, with Mescal expressing excitement about his new home. Other cast members joined in, including Mikey Day as the emperor, who rapped a humorous song. The segment noted mixed reviews, including a fictional quote from director Ridley Scott, who claimed he was unaware of the musical changes. The skit concluded with Mescal leaving the Colosseum on a broom.