Irish actor Paul Mescal follows in Oscar winner Russell Crowe’s sandals. To fight in the Colosseum in “Gladiator II”, the highly anticipated sequel to filmmaker Ridley Scott’s Ancient Rome power saga.

But “Conclave” has the feel of the sort of highbrow picture that, over the years, has landed with Oscar voters. It has been a ...

Backers of some sure-fire hits are hoping for the former. Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” has already taken in $714.4 ...