It took 24 years for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator to receive a sequel, but it seems like another follow-up might be around the corner.
Set over two decades after the events of the original film, Gladiator 2 follows Lucius (Paul Mescal) – the son of Lucilla and Maximus – who, after being forced into slavery, follows his father’s path by becoming a gladiator.
READ MORE: ‘Gladiator 2’ review: back to Rome for Paul Mescal’s Colosseum-sized sequel
Alongside Paul Mescal, the film’s cast includes Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
While talks of a sequel began as early as June 2001, the film was released over two decades later on November 15, 2024 in the UK.
Has a sequel to Gladiator 2 been confirmed?
Denzel Washington in ‘Gladiator 2’. CREDIT: Paramount Pictures
Paramount has not officially announced a sequel to Gladiator 2, but Ridley Scott has said he’s “already toying” with the idea.
“No seriously! I’ve lit the fuse,” Scott told France’s Premiere magazine. “The ending of Gladiator 2 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.”
As such, assuming Gladiator 2 is a box office success, it’s very likely a sequel is on the cards.
When could Gladiator 3 be released?
Paul Mescal in ‘Gladiator 2’. CREDIT: Paramount Pictures
While there’s no release date for a third film, it sounds like we won’t have to wait another 24 years at least.
In an interview with Total Film, Ridley Scott confirmed he has already made progress on the script. “I’ve already got eight pages. I’ve got the beginning of a very good footprint.”
Speaking about the film’s potential direction, he added: “If there’s a Gladiator 3, I don’t think you’d ever go back into the arena. But I had to go back into the arena…”
What has Paul Mescal said about a sequel?
Ahead of Gladiator 2, Paul Mescal confirmed he is “massively down” to return as Lucius for another entry.
“Oh yeah, massively down,” Mescal told Variety. “I don’t think it will be [24] years – but I have no idea when it will be.”
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