His name is Ridley Scott, the visionary director behind 'Blade Runner' and 'Alien,' a steadfast guardian of cinematic art. He is a devoted husband and father to three sons. And he is determined to bring more 'Gladiator' films to life, whether in this lifetime or the next. Or, as a less committed journalist might put it, in an interview with French film magazine Premiere, ahead of the release of his upcoming epic sequel 'Gladiator II,' Sir Ridley Scott has disclosed that he is already contemplating a third installment set in Ancient Rome.
In a Zoom interview with Premiere, the acclaimed British filmmaker, whose long-anticipated 'Gladiator' sequel is poised to explore how Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), the son of the slave-turned-gladiator Maximus, navigates the power dynamics of Imperial Rome, expressed his desire to expand the Roman saga into a trilogy. 'I'm already playing with the idea of 'Gladiator 3,' Scott revealed. 'No, seriously! I lit the wick… The end of 'Gladiator II' mirrors that of 'The Godfather,' with Michael Corleone finding himself in a role he never sought, questioning, 'And now, Father, what am I doing?' The next film will thus focus on a man who is out of place in his current situation.'
Adding to the anticipation for 'Gladiator 3,' Mescal shared in his own Premiere interview: 'Yes, Ridley mentioned it to me just yesterday! So I'm eager to see what unfolds, of course. But we must take our time: history must be respected.' After a nearly 25-year wait for 'Gladiator II,' which Scott himself described to Empire as 'one of the best things' he's ever made, the prospect of a third film has us eagerly anticipating its arrival. However, with only a few enthusiastic quotes to go on and Scott currently occupied with his upcoming Bee Gees biopic, it may be some time before we see Mescal's Lucius return to the colosseum. First, we need to witness Mescal's Lucius stepping into the arena—rhinos, ships, and all—when 'Gladiator II' hits theaters on November 22.
