After reviving the ‘Gladiator’ franchise 24 years later with ‘Gladiator II,’ Ridley Scott is not done with the epic tale. “I’m already toying with the idea of ‘Gladiator 3.’ No, seriously! I’ve lit the fuse,” the director recently told France’s Premiere magazine (per Variety).
He explained, “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.”
Paul Mescal joins ‘Gladiator II’ as Lucius, adult son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix’s antagonist in the original).
The story picks up with Lucius living outside the Roman Empire in the northern Africa, a region his mother chose for his safety during childhood. But events push him back to Rome, where he becomes a gladiator.
The film also stars Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a powerful Roman who owns gladiators for sport. Actors Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn are also featured.
Ridley Scott is already hyped about the sequel. He told Empire magazine in August that it is “the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”
‘Gladiator II’ will see release on November 22.
