Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for Gladiator II!Gladiator IIactor Denzel Washington has given an uncertain update on the chances of him returning to the franchise forGladiator 3. Washington stars in Ridley Scott’s long-awaited historical sequel as Macrinus, a former slave who begins mentoring Paul Mescal’s Lucius to rise through the ranks of the gladiatorial scene in ancient Rome and help him get his revenge on the general responsible for the destruction of his home village. However, Macrinus has his own designs on rising to power in Rome, ultimately becoming the villain ofGladiator II’s storyas it progresses.
In an interview withCinemaBlendfor the movie’s release, Washington discusses his role in the sequel, as well as the possibility of a return to the franchise in the future, shouldGladiator 3happen, despite his character’s fate inGladiator II. The Oscar winner ruminates on the 24-year time period between the production of Scott’s first two movies, andjokes that he hopes to be around if it takes that long to make the third movie. Check out the New Yorker’s full comments below:
Well, first of all, there’s 25 years between Gladiator one and two, right? I hope to be around, but I’ll be 70 in two months. So 25 years from now, you know, I don’t know. I just hope to be around.
What These Comments Mean For Gladiator 3
A Strong Theatrical Run Could See A Third Movie Much Sooner
Whilst there were 24 years between the first two movies, it feels unlikely that any such gap would exist forGladiator 3’s release. The first film was a modern classic, and though Russell Crowe didn’t return, Scott deciding to revisit the franchise is likely what allowed the film to be made. The 86-year-old director seems to be increasing his productivity as he reaches the twilight of his career, andit’s likely he will want to complete the franchise as a trilogy whilst he’s still able to, which should result inGladiator 3arriving sooner rather than later.
The epic fantasy musicalWickedwill be competing withGladiator II, but could result in a Glicked phenomenon similar to Barbenheimer, which would drive the box office of both.
IfGladiator IIis a success theatrically, expect a third installment to enter production in the next few years. Things look promising, and the historical epic isprojected to enjoy a domestic opening weekend of around $60 million, almost double that of its predecessor, with hopes high that the movie will comfortably pass the $465 million total of the first movie.The epic fantasy musicalWickedwill be competing withGladiator II, but could result in a Glicked phenomenon similar to Barbenheimer, which would drive the box office of both.
Our Verdict On Washington’s Gladiator 3 Prospects
The Actor Could Appear Despite His Character’s Death In The Sequel
As for Washington, the fact that Macrinus is decisively killed by Lucius atthe end ofGladiator IImakes it unlikely the 69-year-old would make a return forGladiator 3, but there is a possibility. I believe that if Washington does appear in a follow-up it will be as Macrinus, but it would be in the form of flashbacks, and his strong working relationship with Scott would very much help make this a reality, should the actor desire a return to the franchise forGladiator 3.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
