Yes, in broad terms Scott compares the ending of Gladiator II to the ending of another movie, and then vaguely/briefly mentions what the general plot of the third movie would be.

Otherwise, it's a widely reported story all over the internet, where every headline is mentioning Mescal's return. The chances of Scott killing the hero of the movie two movies in a row was always going to be low. Also, this isn't really that different than announcing that the star of any given superhero movie will be back for the next movie, before the current movie has released (see: Matt Reeves already talking about Robert Pattinson in The Batman Part III).

TCTTS said:

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LFG.

Ridley ratcheting up the stakes...

RIDLEY SCOTT says GLADIATOR II is "the best film I've ever made [...] and I've made a few good ones."https://t.co/X46Zo3OZfq pic.twitter.com/coZvAuI7vc

— Reel Updates (@worldofreel) August 22, 2024

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whats interesting is based on movies he's directed on IMDB his current highest rated movie is Alien with an 8.5….but there's another movie with that exact same rating on IMDB…..and it's Gladiator!

So from that perspective, you could say he thinks this movie will be better than Alien…..or he thinks this movie sequel will be better than it's original…..

One of these is more impressive than the other….

Much better trailer.

Also...I guess they just do not care about spoilers anymore.

It's been a long running theory that Lucius' father was Maximus, but I sure as hell did not expect them to confirm that in a trailer.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Much better trailer.

Also...I guess they just do not care about spoilers anymore.

It's been a long running theory that Lucius' father was Maximus, but I sure as hell did not expect them to confirm that in a trailer.

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Agreed. Also does it not seem totally out of character for Maximus to have cheated on his wife with Lucilla (although I guess since Lucius was older than Maximus son by several years that you could say it happened before he got married

That's pretty much what I figured.

I always surmised by the first movie that their thing happened a long time ago, before he was married.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Much better trailer.

Also...I guess they just do not care about spoilers anymore.

It's been a long running theory that Lucius' father was Maximus, but I sure as hell did not expect them to confirm that in a trailer.

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My guess is, after the last trailer confused so many people, they wanted to make that connection a selling point this go around and really emphasize the connective tissue. Admittedly, it already makes the movie feel more "essential" to me.

The positive-buzz drumbeat continues. This time, from Jeff Sneider...

Quote:

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Word is starting to trickle out regarding Gladiator II, and I hear it's the real deal - that Ridley Scott is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination, and both Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are serious threats to score acting nods. Apparently, I won't see the film until its All Media screening, so you'll just have to trust my spies until then.

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Still looks red boxish

Sea Speed said:

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It looks like a terrible CGI fest.

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Hey, look at that, we agree on something.

There's just something off...a ridiculous number of over the top (almost cartoonish) action scenes in the trailers, Scott saying its his best film ever, the early overzealous critical acclaim stating that multiple roles in this are shoe-ins for Oscar nominations if not the award itself. I almost feel like this is all a case of wishcasting just because of how beloved the first one was.

TCTTS said:

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The positive-buzz drumbeat continues. This time, from Jeff Sneider...

Quote:

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Word is starting to trickle out regarding Gladiator II, and I hear it's the real deal - that Ridley Scott is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination, and both Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are serious threats to score acting nods. Apparently, I won't see the film until its All Media screening, so you'll just have to trust my spies until then.

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If I had Twitter I would call myself the AntiHollywoodInsider

Word is starting to trickle out regarding Gladiator II, and I hear it's a ****ing train wreck - that Ridley Scott should be in a nursing home, and both Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are serious threats to be banned from the industry. Apparently, I won't see the film until its All Media screening, so you'll just have to trust my spies until then.

Completely agree with you.

Man do I hope this doesn't suck.

Tickets now on sale...

Paul Mescal is here with a special announcement for his new film #GladiatorII.
Get your tickets on Fandango today.https://t.co/HWVTmWFJJL pic.twitter.com/mMzbpr9pSN

— Fandango (@Fandango) October 8, 2024

It's already set up with the rhino as the third.

The poster will need to be a lot more horny for viewers to pick up on it.

GLADIATOR II is indeed the REAL DEAL! An epic sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor — great action, amazing visual effects, stellar performances across the board (esp. PAUL MESCAL & DENZEL WASHINGTON)! A return to form for director RIDLEY SCOTT! I was ENTERTAINED! pic.twitter.com/xC9McJAU5p

— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR 2 is an absolute triumph, Ridley Scott places you in the action of the arena centered on legacy and honor amping up the blood, battles,and biceps for something so deliciously cinematic and Machiavellian. Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, & Joseph Quinn certified movie stars. pic.twitter.com/0oy0jjrRUH

— Jillian🫧 (@JillianChili) October 19, 2024

Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent. 🏛️ pic.twitter.com/ZpowkMpPV1

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII serves up the richest feast in the epic action set pieces and deliciously ribald treachery. Dovetailing stylishly with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, stellar cast with aplomb. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse 👍 pic.twitter.com/anFnm9rfEl

— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII is the perfect continuation of the original & an epic story in its own right. A fantastic cast, but Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, & Paul Mescal are transcendent! Countless intense blood soaked fight sequences! @GladiatorMovie demands to be seen on the big screen! pic.twitter.com/LH3Z7clqrH

— Caitlin Tyrrell (@caitlin_tyrrell) October 19, 2024

Dang! #GladiatorII is pretty awesome. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn & Fred Hechinger shine. It’s a worthy follow-up & Ridley Scott captures the spirit of the original but sequel is its own thing. #screening pic.twitter.com/6cOM8hXu9j

— CineMovie TV (@CineMovie) October 19, 2024

Paul Mescal, Denzel, and Pedro Pascal are terrific! Connie Nielsen is pure class. But honestly, Joseph Quinn is such a scene stealer! @GladiatorMovie #GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/aNKVyd7XyC

— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII lacks the focus and emotional punch of the original, and Mescal isn’t quite as captivating a lead here as Crowe was in the original, but it’s overflowing with memorable action and it’s got Denzel stealing the movie in soon to be one of his most iconic performances pic.twitter.com/zcBF1a7NRb

— Will Mavity (@mavericksmovies) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII is a triumph. Every single aspect comes together so beautifully. I would love to see it nominated for many awards but specifically hair and makeup/costume design 🙌🏻⚔️🖤

— maggie (@maggiekingdom) October 19, 2024

@GladiatorMovie is a decent but unnecessary sequel, full of big speeches & large-scale battle sequences. Its best moments are musical callbacks to the original. #PaulMescal has solid fighting energy but the standouts of the cast are #JosephQuinn & #DenzelWashington.#GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/9JJpzBUhp5

— Abe Friedtanzer (@movieswithabe) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII doesn’t quite rise to the greatness of the original but it’s a damn fine sequel with big stakes, a solid story, & excellent performances.

I enjoyed it thoroughly, most probably will too, but it’s just slightly lacking emotionally. Everything is very easy & surface. pic.twitter.com/FjMxkKlANk

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) October 19, 2024