Ridley Scott, the director behind the iconic 2000 film Gladiator, has recently shared his thoughts on the future of the franchise. Ahead of the release of Gladiator II, which is set to hit theaters on November 15, Scott has revealed that he is already contemplating a third film in the series. His comments came during an interview with France’s Premiere magazine, where he spoke about the storyline possibilities for Gladiator III.

CHECK OUT Trailer OF Gladiator ll :

Director Considers Gladiator 3

In the interview, Ridley Scott confirmed that he has been seriously considering the possibility of a third installment in the Gladiator franchise. He described his creative process as already in motion, saying, “With that, I’m already toying with the idea of Gladiator 3. No, seriously! I’ve lit the fuse.” This news has sparked interest among fans, as the highly anticipated sequel has yet to be released, and Scott is already thinking ahead about how the story could continue.

Scott has drawn an intriguing parallel between the upcoming Gladiator II and The Godfather, particularly in relation to the character arc of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal. Similar to Michael Corleone from The Godfather, Lucius is portrayed as a character trapped in a situation he doesn’t want to be in. Scott hinted that this theme could be further explored in a third film, stating, “So the next [film] will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is.”

Sequel Centers on Lucius’ Journey

Gladiator II will focus on Lucius, the son of Lucila, who was sent to the northern African region of Numidia to escape the reach of the Roman Empire. The story picks up years after the events of the original Gladiator, which followed Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, as he fought for revenge against the corrupt Roman emperor Commodus. The original film culminated in a dramatic final battle where both Maximus and Commodus lost their lives.

In the sequel, Lucius is discovered by General Marcus Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, and brought back to Rome. As the synopsis explains, Lucius is forced into the Colosseum, where he must fight to restore the glory of Rome. The film explores themes of legacy, power, and the burden of carrying on the memory of Maximus.

The return of Gladiator after more than two decades has generated significant buzz, with fans eagerly awaiting how the story will evolve in the sequel. With Ridley Scott returning as director, many are expecting Gladiator II to live up to the original, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Future of the Gladiator Franchise

If Gladiator II performs well at the box office, the likelihood of a third film could increase. Scott’s openness about considering Gladiator III has added excitement to the franchise’s future. The story possibilities seem vast, especially with Lucius’ character positioned as the central figure moving forward. Whether or not a third film materializes will likely depend on the reception of Gladiator II.

For now, fans can look forward to seeing Paul Mescal take on the role of Lucius in Gladiator II alongside a star-studded cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and others. The movie is set for release on November 15, and it is expected to attract a large audience given the enduring popularity of the original film.

For more updates on Gladiator ll and Gladiator III, tune in to Vviptimes.

source: variety, premiere