Gladiator 2: Are there plans for a sequel with Paul Mezcal?

Warning – This article contains spoilers for the ending of Gladiator II.

24 years ago Ridley Scott revolutionized the peplum with his gladiator. Awarded with 5 Oscars, the film launched Russell Crowe’s career. After 24 years, the filmmaker offers an action-packed sequel with Paul Mescal in the lead role.

In planning since 2006, Gladiator II took several years because Ridley Scott wanted to get the script “right”. And it was to his friend David Scarpa (All the Money in the World and Napoleon.) that he entrusted this task.

Gladiator II takes place years after the first part. After witnessing the death of Maximus, young Lucius was forcibly sent by his mother to Africa. 20 years later, when Rome has just conquered his country, he is forced to enter the Colosseum and fight to entertain the tyrannical emperors Caracalla and Geta who now rule. With rage at heart and the future of the empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find the strength and honor to restore Rome to its people. The film stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hatchinger.

Will there be a Gladiator III?

At the beginning of last October, Ridley Scott said All movies that he had already started writing and fleshing out the third part of Gladiator “I already have eight pages, I have the beginning of a very good story.” After that, the filmmaker was done If there is a Gladiator 3, I don’t think we will go back to the arena.

At the end of Gladiator II, Lucius manages to defeat his enemies and reconcile the armies. The film leaves Lucius’ political future vague, suggesting that he could reform Rome in the spirit of the ideals of Maximus and Marcus Aurelius.

An ending that echoes Ridley Scott’s statement to Premiere magazine: “I’m already toying with the idea of ​​Gladiator 3! No, really! I lit the fuse! The ending of Gladiator II is reminiscent of The Godfather, where Michael Corleone finds himself in a place he doesn’t want and asks himself, “Now, Father, what shall I do?” The next one will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is in his life.” Therefore, Lucius should not return to the arena, but find himself in the emperor’s place.

Paul Mezcal is in!

in turn Paul Mescal going to play the role of Lucius. The Irish actor told the premiere of the film in London Diversity “I am absolutely ready for it. I don’t think it will take 24]years this time, but I have no idea when that might be.”

Considering the film’s success at the international box office ($87 million already), while it only opens in the US this Friday, November 22nd, it’s a safe bet that the third opus will see the light of day soon. .