WithGladiator 2having not even hit theaters yet, Ridley Scott now reveals his progress on the script forGladiator 3. Serving as a sequel to his 2000 epic starring Russell Crowe,Scott’sGladiator 2sees Paul Mescal taking on the role of Lucius in a story that charts his ascension as a fighter in the Colosseum 19 years after Maximus' death. The film has been one of Scott’s most anticipated releases in years, and the director dropped a surprise reveal several weeks ago that he already hasideas for a potentialGladiator 3.
In a recent interview withTotal Film(viaGamesRadar+),Scott reveals that he’s written eight pages ofGladiator 3. The filmmaker also offers a surprising story tease, suggesting that audiences can expect a change of scenery if a third film ends up coming to fruition. Check out his comment below:
“I’ve already got eight pages. I’ve got the beginning of a very good footprint. 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…”
In the same interview, Scott also reflected on the legacy of the originalGladiator, recalling that there wasn’t much faith in him when he first championed the idea for the film:
“The first movie really definitely touched the imagination in a way I didn’t quite expect. Because when they heard that Ridley is doing a Roman epic – a sword-and-spear-and-sandal movie – there was a lot of sniggering. Because up to that date, they’d always been very, you know, old-style Hollywood. And I knew what to do.
“And from that, I, in a funny kind of way, modernized Roman-epic kind of films. Then, you know, it spawns a lot of other guys in leather skirts and stuff.”
What Scott’s Latest Update Means For Gladiator 3’s Chances
How Gladiator 2 Will Have To Perform
Gladiator 2is still more than a month away from being released in theaters. While Scott’s enthusiasm for the project is a positive sign,it will be the sequel’s box office performance that determines whether a third film ends up getting made. Though the 2000 original was a smash hit critically and commercially, and the film won Crowe an Oscar for his performance as Maximus, it’s not clear whether the sequel will be able to recreate this reception 24 years later in today’s very different theatrical landscape.
Gladiator Ending Explained - Maximus' Death, How It Sets Up Gladiator 2
Gladiator is often credited with revitalizing the historical epic genre in film, but its complex characters and plot leave some important questions.
Reports onGladiator 2’s budgethave varied. The project was initially budgeted at $165 million, but a report fromTHRsuggests it may have crept up far higher than that. Paramount has denied claims that the budget ballooned to $310 million, and insiders cited inTHR’s report have claimed that the film’s total costs came in under $250 million. Assuming the film is budgeted at $250 million,it could be looking at a break-even point of as high as $625 million, which could be a major challenge to reach.
The break-even point for a Hollywood film is generally between two and two-and-a-half times its production budget, which accounts for marketing and theaters' cuts.
Our Take On A Potential Gladiator 3
Why There’s Reason To Doubt That A Third Film Will Happen
Scott’s last three projects includeNapoleon(2023),House of Gucci(2021), andThe Last Duel(2021), and none of these were box office hits. While this isn’t a promising sign forGladiator 2, the movie has the major advantage of serving as a sequel to one of the most beloved movies of Scott’s career.
Still, even with the impressiveGladiator 2cast, the movie could face an uphill battle, especially if budget reports are to be believed. Plus,engaging younger audiences is generally crucial these days to making a hit blockbuster, and this demographic may not have the same relationship to the original that older audiences do. While I’m definitely skeptical thatGladiator 3will happen, Scott’s enthusiasm for the franchise and for movie-making at 86 years old is certainly commendable.
