The day is young, but this has got to be the forerunner of news I did not expect to hear today. After returning toAlienandBlade Runneras a director and producer, respectively, on the recent sequels,Ridley Scottis teeing up a return to his Best Picture-winning filmGladiator. Deadline reports that Scott has “begun forward progress” on a sequel to the 2000 film, which starred Russel Crowe in the Best Actor-winning role of the Roman soldier-turned-gladiator-turned-resistance leader Maximus.
Of course, Crowe’s haunted hero died at the end ofGladiator, and according to the report, the sequel comes from a script byThe TownandTop Gun: Maverickscreenwriter Peter Craig and will follow Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of the corrupt emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Maximus saved Lucius and Lucilla at the end of Gladiator from his cruel tyranny and Maximus “left a strong impression on the young Lucius.”
As for the behind the scenes details, Scott and his Scott Free production banner are said to be leading the charge on the sequel, with Deadline’s sources saying Paramount will develop the project while Universal has an option to co-finance. Universal distributed the original film, while DreamWorks produced it. But this time, DreamWorks is out.
As always, Scott has a whole heap of irons in the fire, including the comic adaptationQueen & Countryand Disney’s spin on the young years of the wizard Merlin. The filmmaker is currently at work on his first ever TV seriesRaised By Wolves, which is set up at TNT. Scott also executive produced AMC’s chilling horror historyThe Terrorthis year. But as we know, Ridley Scott doesn’t mess around (just look at thoseAll The Money in the Worldreshoots) and word isGladiator 2could come together quickly.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a wave of good sword and sandals movies, which outside of Gladiator and a few other gems have never really reached the heights the genre saw during the 60s. Let’s just sayExodus: Gods and Kingsdidn’t exactly take off, and it wasn’t just because of the casting controversy. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if audiences have a hunger for the genre and its epic tales of righteousness right now, considering the political discord and corruption dominating the headlines world wide these days. But if the the arena epic may be ripe for a comeback, the biggest question may be who could fill Crowe’s shoes?
What do you guys think, are you excited to head back into the Roman arena? Did you ever think there would really be aGladiatorsequel? Do you like the direction they’re taking the story, or were you holding out hope for the insaneGladiatorsequel that never was? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts.
