Ridley Scott Teases Plans for Gladiator III Even Before Gladiator II Premiere
Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director behind Gladiator, has already set his sights on a third installment of the iconic franchise. This revelation comes even before Gladiator II hits US cinemas. The highly anticipated sequel, starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, nephew of Maximus (Russell Crowe’s character from the original 2000 film), has already raked in an impressive $87 million at the global box office since its international debut.
During the glittering Los Angeles premiere of Gladiator II, Scott confirmed that the sequel was intentionally crafted to leave room for further exploration in a third film. “Given the performance… there’s certainly going to be a Gladiator III,” said the 86-year-old filmmaker, who continues to be a force in the industry.
The sequel, featuring Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal in pivotal roles, delves into Lucius’s struggles against Roman invaders, his time in captivity, and his quest for vengeance within the Colosseum. Washington’s portrayal of the cunning Macrinus has already generated Oscar buzz in the industry.
Paul Mescal hinted at Scott’s plans for a more politically charged storyline in the third installment, possibly exploring court intrigue similar to Michael Corleone’s journey in The Godfather.
Scott emphasized the relevance of the franchise’s themes, highlighting how history often echoes in the realm of politics and power struggles.
