[The following story contains spoilers for Gladiator II.]
Ridley Scott already has a plan Gladiator IIIand he’s not shy about hinting at it.
The visionary director has been promoting the sequel to his new action epic, which is expected to gross $60 million in its opening weekend. Scott, who turns 87 next week, already wants to get back on the track – and this time he doesn’t want to wait another twenty years.
Gladiator II Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, gains the support of his army and defeats the evil Mark after killing two emperors, Hertha and Caracalla (Joseph Quinn and Fred Heckinger). Rinus (Denzo Washington). The ending gives an exhausted Lucius a chance to seize power for himself.
Scott said the sequel will continue the idea and draw inspiration from it The Godfather Part 2Now the undisputed leader of organized crime, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) must decide how far to go to keep his crown.
“There’s already an idea,” Scott told hollywood reporter. “I’ve always had this idea godfather Ultimately Michael didn’t want the job. As he sat there, Al was pushed in. His hand had been kissed. He cheated on his wife with lies. [Lucius] Not that evil at all. He wonders, “Father, what am I going to do?” Paul not wanting to take the job is a good place to start.
Scott added to Premiere Magazine “Next [film] It’s the story of a man who doesn’t want to stay where he is. He also said total movies“I’m already eight pages in. I’ve got the start of a really good trail,” adding, “If there’s a Gladiator 3I don’t think you’ll ever come back to the arena again. But I have to get back to the arena…”
Of course, any movie Gladiator Regardless, a way must be found to get the hero back into the fold. Even if Lucius becomes Emperor, being Emperor certainly won’t stop Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) from the first film from finally stepping into the sand.
For his part, Mescal was more than willing to play the role a second time, “oh yeah, very frustrating,” the actor said. type. “I don’t think it’s going to be [24] It’s been years, but I don’t know when it will happen.
Scott also hinted at the first film’s Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) as a potential inspiration for Lucius’ story. Although the character was portrayed as rather benevolent in the first film, and Aurelius’s writings on Stoicism had become quite popular recently, Scott was quite critical of this historical figure. “You must include [Aurelius] Along with every agitator today,” he said. “I think he feels guilty about what he did – so he meditation”.
when THR Asked if Scott had ever considered giving his main characters a different fate Gladiator IIthe director said no. “No,” the filmmaker said. “Lucius must live. Mom [Connie Nielsen] Had to go. The bad guy has to go.
However, the sequel won’t come out too soon, as the director is gearing up to direct a Bee Gees biopic in early 2025. Change your attitude to tackle another project quickly. For more information, see THRExtended Q&A with Scott Gladiator II and a behind-the-scenes look at his five-decade filmmaking career and his new film.
