Ridley Scott returns to direct, for a November 22, 2024 release, and what a cast so far...

- 2023 Oscar nominee Paul Mescal as the lead; a grown up Lucius (the son of Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen in the original, and the nephew of Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original).

- 2023 Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan perfectly cast as the villain, Emperor Geta.

- And now, as of today, Denzel Washington has just been added in a "bad-ass role," which I'm assuming is likely a mentor of sorts?

Paul Mescal is ready to enter the arena.

The “Aftersun” and “Normal People” star is in talks to star in Ridley Scott’s sequel to “Gladiator,” the 2000 epic that made Russell Crowe a super-star and went on to win an Oscar for best picture. https://t.co/dLs0ZSdznF pic.twitter.com/GayvpbW6lU

— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2023

Barry Keoghan is in negotiations to join the cast of Paramount’s sequel to ‘Gladiator’ that has Ridley Scott returning to direct and Paul Mescal set to star https://t.co/KRRdqdbNhj

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 16, 2023

Denzel Washington Reuniting With Ridley Scott On ‘Gladiator’ Sequel At Paramount https://t.co/LK0cQaWV21

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 17, 2023

In!

Can't wait.

Hans Zimmer or GTFO

I feel like Ridley Scott hasn't had a real hit in a while.

2 Gladiators 1 Cup

Gladiators

AliasMan02 said:

---

I feel like Ridley Scott hasn't had a real hit in a while.

---

Yeah, The Martian (2015) was probably his last true hit. But Alien: Covenant (2017) has aged surprisingly well, All the Money in the World (2017) was decent, I really liked The Last Duel (2021), and House of Gucci (2012) was dumb but kind of fun. He's since wrapped a Napoleon epic starring Joaquin Phoenix, set to release later this year, which is getting a lot of buzz.

AliasMan02 said:

---

No way they call this Gladiator 2, right? Or even Gladiator? Is there any chance that being a gladiator plays in?

---

2 Fast 2 Gladiators

Damn it... now I have to watch Gladiator again... which I recently bought a digital version in 4K and Dolby Vision....... damn it..... I mean.... well heck... that sounds like a crazy good Friday Night... thanks guys!

Gladiator has always been the shining example of a spectacular film that they didn't feel the need to do a sequel to. Perfect films don't need a part 2.

I'm actually fine with a sequel that doesn't forcibly extend Maximus' story.

Pretty sure he'll still be dead…unless this movie also decides to venture into the multiverse…

For years, Scott & co tried to get a sequel off the ground that saw Maximus traverse the afterlife - specifically, Hades, in attempt to to get to his (obviously deceased as well) wife and and kid or something. Crowe was attached, and a script was even written, which I have a copy of, though I've never read it. Apparently it's somehow not terrible, though, but pretty weird. Too weird to ever actually get made, thankfully, as everyone finally came to their senses.

Gladiator 2: The Search for More Entertainment

Some stories don't need to be revisited.

And I have no confidence that the magic can be recaptured, especially not by the same director.

AliasMan02 said:

---

No way they call this Gladiator 2, right? Or even Gladiator? Is there any chance that being a gladiator plays in?

---

Gladiator Returns

Gladiator 2: Dies Irae

Ok I know it's a bad joke if you have to explain the joke but I doubt people here like me took four years of Latin in high school. The fact alone makes everybody else cooler than me.

Dies Irae = Judgement Day in Latin.

TCTTS said:

---

For years, Scott & co tried to get a sequel off the ground that saw Maximus traverse the afterlife - specifically, Hades, in attempt to to get to his (obviously deceased as well) wife and and kid or something. Crowe was attached, and a script was even written, which I have a copy of, though I've never read it. Apparently it's somehow not terrible, though, but pretty weird. Too weird to ever actually get made, thankfully, as everyone finally came to their senses.

---

thank goodness cause that sounds awful

TCTTS said:

---

For years, Scott & co tried to get a sequel off the ground that saw Maximus traverse the afterlife - specifically, Hades, in attempt to to get to his (obviously deceased as well) wife and and kid or something. Crowe was attached, and a script was even written, which I have a copy of, though I've never read it. Apparently it's somehow not terrible, though, but pretty weird. Too weird to ever actually get made, thankfully, as everyone finally came to their senses.

---

Did you not want to find out if what he did actually echoed into eternity?

Roman history is a wild mess of treason, war, violence, and greed. There is a LOT they could do with this sequel.

One possibility:
Portray Lucius as a Cincinnatus-type character. Someone who fulfilled Maximus' dream of handing power in Rome back to the senate and then retired to farm or serve in the legions with his fellow citizen-soldiers (he has to learn to fight somewhere). But demagogues are on the rise. Introduce some fun political machinations where a villain stokes a crisis so the senate appoints them dictator to stop it, then have them refuse to surrender power. You can lean into real Roman history and give the villain an army of professional soldiers loyal to them over Rome. Lucius could use the symbols of the dead Maximus - his armor - to inspire a rebellion of citizen soldiers and people of Rome against the bad guy. A climax of Lucius wearing the old gladiator armor as he storms the palace to kill the dictator would be epic.

Spend too much time in gladiator pits and folks will complain "this is too much like the first one." They should find ways to summon forth the old imagery we love and recognize without being a retread of that story.

Maybe you should be writing the sequel. That's legit good stuff.

TCTTS said:

---

Maybe you should be writing the sequel. That's legit good stuff.

---

Thank you. If you ever want to collaborate with another writer

TCTTS said:

---

When I get home I'll post it and you guys can find out for yourselves.

---

I didn't even have to post my copy. Just discovered that it's pretty easy to find online now...

https://davidgerard.co.uk/gladiator-2-nick-cave.pdf

Gladiator 2: Shadows & Dust