Ridley Scott Says 'There's Already an Idea' forGladiator III

Mar. 15, 2025

Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.Photo:Jose Oliva/Europa Press via Getty; Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Jose Oliva/Europa Press via Getty; Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Gladiator IIis still two months away from playing in theaters, but directorRidley Scottalready has his sights set on a third film.

Scott, 86, toldThe Hollywood Reporterthat he would “rather get on toGladiator III,” when the outlet asked him about his next project following the upcoming sequel’s release on Nov. 22.

“There’s already an idea,” Scott said, noting that his concept for a thirdGladiatormovie takes inspiration fromFrancis Ford Coppola’s 1974 epicThe Godfather Part II.

Scott, whose secondGladiatorfilm comes 24 years afterRussell Croweled the franchise’s initial entry, similarly invokedThe GodfatherPart IIwhile teasing a third film to the French outletPremiere.

“I’m already toying with the idea of ​​Gladiator III,” he told that outlet. “No, seriously! I’ve lit the fuse,” he said, hinting thatGladiator II’s ending “is reminiscent of” the end of Coppola’s 1972 originalGodfatherfilm, with Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone unhappily leading his family’s criminal empire into the future.

Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in Gladiator II.Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

“So the next [film] will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is,” Scott toldPremiereof the concept.

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Gladiator IIstarsPaul Mescalas Lucius, the nephew of Crowe’s character Maximus from the original movie. (Spencer Treat Clark played the character as a child in the 2000 original.)Trailersfor the upcoming historical action film show that Lucius has made his way into fighting competitions as an adult. The movie also costarsDenzel Washington,Pedro Pascal,Joseph QuinnandConnie Nielsen, the latter of whom reprises her role as Lucius' mother Lucilla.

Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

Mescal, 28, toldPremierethat Scott only recently informed him of his desire to make a thirdGladiatorfilm. While he said he’s interested, he noted, “we can’t rush anything.”

Scott himself recently gave PEOPLE some insight into what audiences can expect fromGladiator IIatAlien: Romulus' premiere on Aug. 12.

“It’s as good as the first one,” he said. The originalGladiatorwon fiveAcademy Awardsat the73rd Oscarsin 2001 and received 12 total nominations at that year’s ceremony. “I didn’t say better. It’s as good.”

Gladiator IIis in theaters Nov. 22.

source: people.com