Filmmaker Ridley Scott has already started brainstorming ideas for Gladiator 3, hinting that the potential sequel could resemble The Godfather. Scott’s 2000 epic, which won the Best Picture Oscar, followed the journey of Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe), a Roman general who becomes a gladiator after being sold into slavery. His mission was to avenge the death of his family, which was ordered by a corrupt emperor. Fast forward more than 20 years, and Scott is back at the helm for Gladiator 2, which will release on November 15.
The sequel stars Paul Mescal as Lucius (previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark), another character sold into slavery who takes on the life of a gladiator.
Now, even before Gladiator 2 hits theatres, Scott is already thinking about the next chapter. Speaking with the French film magazine Premiere, Scott disclosed that he’s “toying” with the idea of a third film, and offered some early plot hints by drawing comparisons to The Godfather.
“I’m already toying with the idea of Gladiator 3. No, seriously! I’ve lit the fuse… The ending of Gladiator II is reminiscent of The Godfather, with Michael Corleone finding himself with a job he didn’t want, and wondering, ‘Now, Father, what do I do?’ So the next [film] will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is,” he reportedly said.
Scott’s comments hint that he’s actively considering a third Gladiator film. However, it’s difficult to gauge how serious he is about moving forward with it and whether it would take precedence over his other projects.
At 86, Scott continues to be one of the busiest directors in the industry, juggling multiple projects in various stages of development, such as a Bee Gees biopic, Queen & Country and Wraiths of the Broken Land, among others.
His statement also gives fans an idea of what Gladiator 3 might focus on. At the start of Gladiator 2, Lucius has left behind his noble life and is living quietly with his wife and child in Numidia. However, Scott’s comments suggest Lucius might ascend to the role of the emperor by the film’s conclusion, similar to Michael Corleone’s rise in The Godfather, reports ScreenRant.
If Gladiator 3 happens, it could follow Lucius grappling with a position of power he never wanted. Intriguingly, this also suggests that Lucius will likely survive the events of Gladiator 2, unlike Maximus in the original film.
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