- Scott says the ending to upcoming Gladiator II is similar to the end of Godfather II
- Director believes new Gladiator is one of the best films he’s ever made
- Gladiator II stars Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal
Gladiator II may not even have hit cinema screens yet, but director Ridley Scott has confirmed that he’s already working on ideas for a third ancient Roman offering.
The second Gladiator, starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen, is being released 24 years after the Oscar hoarding 2000 original, starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. The sequel will be released on November 15 in the UK and November 22 in the United States.
Yet, despite the sequel taking the best part of quarter of a century to arrive and with it still being two months away from hitting the big screen, Scott confirmed in a recent interview with France’s Premiere Magazine, that he is “already toying” with the idea of making a third, comparing his own upcoming sequel to one of the most famous sequels ever made, The Godfather Part II.
“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.“
In an August interview with Empire magazine, Scott claimed his new Gladiator flick is “the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”
Gladiator II sees the story continuing on years after the original. Paul Mescal stars as an adult Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of Commodus, the first film’s antagonist, memorably played by Joaquin Phoenix. Lucius is now living in Numidia, northern Africa, where he was sent by his mother as a child so he could be out of the reach of the Roman Empire. Lucius eventually returns to Rome as a gladiator, where he makes new enemies and reunites with Lucilla. Denzel Washington also stars as Macrinus, a wealthy Rome powerbroker who keeps a stable of gladiators for sport.
(h/t Variety)
