Ridley Scott already “toying with” plans for ‘Gladiator 3’

"I’ve lit the fuse"

Ridley Scott has revealed that he is already working on an idea for Gladiator III, less than two months before the second film’s release.

Gladiator II will hit cinemas on November 15 and follows Paul Mescal’s Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire who becomes a gladiator when his home is invaded by the Roman army, led by Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius.

The new film is set 25 to 30 years after the events of the original 2000 film, which won Best Picture at the Oscars, as well as Best Actor for Russell Crowe.

Scott, 86, who has directed both instalments of the series so far, is already turning his mind to the idea of a third Gladiator film, however. In an interview with Premiere, he has revealed that if he gets his way, fans of the franchise will have more to enjoy in the future.

“I’m already toying with the idea of Gladiator III,” he said. “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.”

It appears to be confirmed that Mescal would also be attached to the third film, with the actor telling Premiere: “Yes, Ridley spoke to me about it, but only yesterday! So I’m waiting to see what’s going to happen, but I’m interested, of course. But we can’t rush anything: the story has to hold together.”

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Gladiator II also stars Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, and is released internationally on November 22, the same day as the film version of the musical Wicked, with fans dubbing the doubleheader ‘Glicked’, in homage to ‘Barbenheimer’.

Scott has recently spoken about his reasons for not consulting Crowe about the new film, after the actor said he felt “slightly uncomfortable” about the sequel.

“I think [Russell Crowe] is still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship,” Scott said. “I hope we do. As long as he doesn’t start bitching about how he wasn’t consulted. Why would I? He’s dead!”