Even though Gladiator 2 hasn’t hit theaters yet, Ridley Scott has shared updates about the script for Gladiator 3. This sequel to his 2000 movie, which starred Russell Crowe, features Paul Mescal as Lucius.
The story follows Lucius as he becomes a fighter in the Colosseum, 19 years after Maximus’s death. Gladiator 2 is one of Scott’s most eagerly awaited films in years, and a few weeks ago, the director surprised everyone by revealing that he already has ideas for a possible Gladiator 3.
In a recent interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar), Ridley Scott shared that he has written eight pages of Gladiator 3. He also teased an exciting story change, hinting that viewers might see a different setting if the third film gets made. Check out what he said below:
Advertisement I’ve written eight pages already and have a solid start. If there’s a Gladiator 3, I don’t think it will take place in the arena again. But I needed to go back to the arena for this story…
In the same interview, Ridley Scott talked about the legacy of the original Gladiator. He remembered that many people didn’t believe in him when he first supported the idea for the film.
The first movie captured people’s imagination in a way I didn’t expect. When they heard I was making a Roman epic—a sword-and-sandal movie—they laughed a lot because those films had been pretty old-fashioned. But I knew exactly what I wanted to do. In a way, I helped modernize Roman epic films, and because of that, many other movies started featuring guys in leather skirts and similar outfits.
What Scott’s Latest Update Means For Gladiator 3’s Chances
Gladiator 2 is still over a month away from hitting theaters. While Ridley Scott’s excitement about the project is a good sign, it will be the movie’s box office results that decide if a third film gets made. The original movie from 2000 was a big success both with critics and audiences, and Russell Crowe even won an Oscar for his role as Maximus. However, it’s uncertain if the sequel can achieve the same success 24 years later, especially in today’s different movie landscape.
See More: Ridley Scott Planning a ‘Gladiator 3’: “There’s Already an Idea”
Reports about the budget for Gladiator 2 have been different. The project was originally set at $165 million, but a report from The Hollywood Reporter suggests it may have gone up even more. Paramount has denied claims that the budget reached $310 million, and sources in the THR report say the total costs are under $250 million. If the film’s budget is $250 million, it might need to earn around $625 million to break even, which could be a big challenge to achieve.
Ridley Scott’s last three movies—Napoleon (2023), House of Gucci (2021), and The Last Duel (2021)—did not do well at the box office. While this isn’t a great sign for Gladiator 2, the film has the big advantage of being a sequel to one of Scott’s most loved movies.
Even with a strong cast, Gladiator 2 might face some challenges, especially if the budget reports are accurate. Additionally, attracting younger audiences is important for making a blockbuster hit, and younger viewers may not feel as connected to the original movie as older audiences do. While I’m not very hopeful about the chances of Gladiator 3, I admire Scott’s passion for the franchise and filmmaking at 86 years old.
Source: Total Film (via GamesRadar+)