Thirsty First Images from 'Gladiator II' Already Have Gay Fans in an Uproar

The first images from "Gladiator II" have dropped, featuring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, and the epic sequel to the 2000 hit has already found a big gay audience.

A profile in Vanity Fair that ushered in the new pics contained a revealing quote from director Ridley Scott, who also helmed the first "Gladiator" more than 20 years ago.

"Now, with 'Gladiator II' heading to theaters on November 22, they're ready to tell the rest of the world where the story picks up in the years after Russell Crowe's Maximus gave his life, upending the leadership of the decadent and corrupt society," Vanity Fair reported.

"The central character portrayed by Mescal is Lucius, last seen as the young son of Lucilla, Connie Nielsen's noblewoman from the original movie," the article thumbnailed. "Nielsen also returns in the sequel, playing one of the few true-life figures in the otherwise fictional 'Gladiator' storyline, the daughter of the late emperor Marcus Aurelius."

"In the actual history, Lucilla was a firebrand revolutionary who despaired of the direction Rome took after her father's demise."

Scott explained how he had come to cast Mescal in his new swords and sandals epic, telling the magazine when he was "watching a TV show that's not really my kind of TV show almost four years ago, I said, 'Who's this guy?'"

The show in question was the British Drama "Normal People," which aired in Britain on BBC 3 in 2020, followed by an American release on Hulu.

"He was a special find," Scott went on to add of Mescal. "He was absolutely perfect."

Fans who loved Mescal in "All of Us Strangers" and "Aftersun" think so, too, and the new photos showing him in action in a Roman colosseum are nothing less than stunning.

Mescal features in the first group of 10 images, along with undisputed zaddy Pedro Pascal, as well as Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and others.

In the caption to a group of photos, Pascal sang Mescal's praises and took notice of how the Irish actor has bulked up for the role.

"I call him Brick Wall Paul," the text quoted Pascal saying. "He got so strong. I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again."

And this from the guy who's breakout role was as a champion fighter in "Game of Thrones!"

A third set of photos focused on Mescal, showing him bloodied, dust-covered, and staring intently with mesmerizing blue eyes, presumably at a gladiatorial opponent.

"As the film begins, Mescal's Lucius has a wife and child, and lives a relatively peaceful life with them until conquerors from his homeland begin to encroach," the Insta post teased.

"He's taken root in a seacoast town in Numidia," Ridley Scott explained in the caption. "It's one of the last surviving civilizations, as the Romans begin to descend in North Africa and take it all over."

A second image shows Mescal with his sword in hand, readying for a lethal thrust, while the third photo depicts him standing triumphantly in a heavy leather combat vest.

Fans responded with fire emojis, hearts, and cries of exultant anticipation.

"OH MY GODDD" one person exclaimed, while another clamored, "Bring on November!" Someone else declared, "Absolute peak incoming!

Quipped one fan: "Gladiator 2: The Gladdening," while another posted, "my roman empire (literally)".

Calls for a trailer were mixed into the responses. Let's hope to see some moving pictures soon!