Gladiator II fans were left stunned after Matt Lucas made a surprise cameo in the highly anticipated blockbuster.

The 50-year-old comedian and actor appeared briefly in the film, taking on the role of the master of ceremonies during the dramatic battle scenes between Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius and Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus.

Following the release of the movie on November 15, fans have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to express their surprise at the comedians unexpected appearance.

One user wrote: ‘Matt Lucas being in the cast of Gladiator 2 was not on tonight’s bingo card.’

Another asked: ‘Why is Matt Lucas in gladiator 2…?’

A third penned: ‘Matt Lucas as the master of ceremonies in Gladiator 2 just made the whole thing feel like a really fraught episode of the Great British Bake Off.’

Gladiator II fans were left stunned by cameo of legendary UK comedian in the highly anticipated blockbuster

Matt Lucas, 50, appeared briefly in the film the new film

‘Biggest shock of gladiator 2 was matt lucas being in it,’ a fourth commented.

A fifth gushed: ‘Matt Lucas from GBBO in Gladiator II? My two worlds collide.’

A sixth added: ‘Gladiator II was sick but Matt Lucas being in it was a step too far.

Matt has appeared in movies including Bridesmaids, Alice in Wonderland and Wonka, but told This Morning that landing a role in a Ridley Scott film was one of the biggest achievements of his career.

He previously told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: ‘I’m in four scenes. Actually I say that, I haven’t seen the film yet so I don’t know how much has even made it in. 

‘But I had four trips to Malta and I’m the master of ceremonies in the big colosseum.

‘But I’m not one of the main characters…ok, I’m the lead in the film! It was amazing though to be in a Ridley Scott movie. 

‘I’ve been in some big films, but the scale of this was like nothing I’d ever seen before. I didn’t know if I’d even make it in.’

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts

The actor took on the role of the master of ceremonies during the dramatic battle scenes between Pedro Pascal ‘s Marcus Acacius and Paul Mescal ‘s Lucius Verus (pictured Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal)

Lucas has appeared in movies including Bridesmaids, Alice in Wonderland and Wonka, but told This Morning that landing a role in a Ridley Scott film was one of the biggest achievements of his career

Read More Matt Lucas showcases his incredible weight loss at the Gladiator 2 premiere

Talking about the process of auditioning, Lucas added: ‘I had to record myself introducing one of the battles and film myself in the flat I was renting while my house was being refurbished. 

‘I think I did about 80 takes til I had one I wasn’t too unsatisfied with. 

‘So I sent a couple of tapes and forgot about it, and then 10 days later I got an email saying Sir Ridley Scott would like you to come and do it.’

The long-awaited sequel currently has a ‘certified fresh’ 73% critic approval rating (out of 225 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Gladiator II ensemble also includes Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, and Connie Nielsen.

It comes after Lucas showcased his incredible weight loss in a navy blue suit as he attended the Gladiator 2 premiere on November 14.

It comes after Lucas showcased his incredible weight loss in a navy blue suit at the Gladiator 2 premiere  after he dropped from size XXXL to M

The star pictured pre weight loss in 2018 

The comedian, who recently dropped from a size XXXL to an medium, put on a sophisticated display as he stepped out in a tailored two-piece ensemble.

He layered his suit over a crisp white shirt and a navy blue tie, patterned with a fun multi-coloured square design. as he showed off his slimmed down frame.

In April 2020, Matt admitted that he was keen to ‘get fitter’ during his time in lockdown, after feeling he had ‘put on a little bit of weight’.

He said: ‘The one thing I need to do is get fitter, I have put on a little bit of weight, that’s my next challenge to do a bit more exercise.

‘I might have to make a game of it when I go out an exercise to stay out of people’s way. I don’t have a garden so I have to find a way to do that.’

The funnyman was previously told to reduce his daily calorie intake to 1,500 by doctors over fears he may develop diabetes.