As a gamer with over two decades of immersion into the world of digital gladiators and historical epics, I eagerly await the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator series. Having grown up with Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) in my gaming arsenal, it’s fascinating to see the narrative evolve with Lucius (Paul Mescal).
[The following story contains spoilers for Gladiator II.]
Ridley Scott is already devising a strategy for “Gladiator III”, and he’s been quite open in sharing tidbits about it.
The imaginative filmmaker has been enthusiastically sharing news about his upcoming action-epic sequel, aiming for a staggering $60 million debut at the box office during its opening weekend. Scott, who celebrates his 87th birthday next week, is eager to step back into the spotlight once more – not planning to wait another two decades this time.
In the finale of Gladiator II, Paul Mescal’s character Lucius manages to garner support from an army after overpowering the malevolent Macrinus (Denzel Washington). This comes on the heels of his fatal actions against the Emperors, Geta and Caracalla (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger). The ending presents a chance for Lucius, weary from his struggles, to claim power for himself.
Scott mentions that the upcoming sequel will continue with that concept, taking cues from “The Godfather Part II.” In this installment, Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino, is established as the uncontested ruler of the criminal underworld and must grapple with the question of how far he’s willing to go to maintain his throne.
Scott mentioned that he’s had an idea for a while,” Scott shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “This idea is that The Godfather ends with Michael reluctant to take on the role. As the camera zooms in on Al, we see that he has already received the symbolic gesture of having his hand kissed. He has betrayed his wife through deceit. Lucius isn’t as wicked as portrayed. Instead, he’s questioning, ‘Father, what should I do?’ Starting with Paul unwilling to take on the role seems fitting.
Scott mentioned in “Premiere” magazine that the upcoming movie is centered around a man who feels unhappy with his current circumstances. He also shared with “Total Film” that he has started writing and has developed a solid foundation for the story, stating, “I’ve got eight pages. I’ve established a strong foundation.” Additionally, when asked about a potential third installment of “Gladiator,” Scott commented, “If there’s a Gladiator 3, I don’t believe you would return to the arena again. However, I felt compelled to revisit the arena…
As a devoted admirer, it’s only natural that a film titled “Gladiator” must find a means to bring its protagonist back to the arena, even if Lucius ascends to the throne. Being an Emperor didn’t deter the initial film’s Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) from eventually treading upon the sand at a later time.
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In addition, Scott subtly indicated that the Emperor Marcus Aurelius from the initial film, played by Richard Harris, could serve as a motivational base for Lucius’ narrative. Although Marcus Aurelius was depicted quite benevolently in the first movie, and his teachings on stoicism have gained popularity recently, Scott is actually quite critical of this historical figure. He commented, “It’s important to consider [Aurelius] alongside every modern demagogue today.” Furthermore, he suggested that Aurelius may have felt remorseful about his actions, which could explain the introspective nature of his writings in Meditations.
When THR inquired about altering the fates of key characters in “Gladiator II” for Scott, the director responded negatively. “No,” he stated, “Lucius needed to survive, Connie’s character (Mom) had to perish, and the villain had to be eliminated.
The sequel can’t be rushed immediately, given that the director is set to direct a Bee Gees biopic in early 2025. However, with Scott’s recent history of productivity, swiftly moving on to another project isn’t an issue for him. For additional details, check out THR’s extensive interview with Scott about “Gladiator II” and his five-decade filmmaking journey, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the new production.
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2024-11-23 21:31