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Gladiator 2 Script Is Written, Says Ridley Scott
Famed director Ridley Scott says the script for Gladiator 2 has already been written. Scott is the creative mind behind beloved films such as Blade Runner and Alien. The Oscar-nominated director's latest movie, House of Gucci, is set to hit theaters later this month and stars Adam Driver and Lady Gaga. No stranger to epic historical dramas, the director also recently debuted The Last Duel, which is set in medieval France and stars Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Jodie Comer.
One of Scott's most beloved films is his 2000 epic drama Gladiator, inspired by Daniel P. Mannix's 1958 novel Those About to Die. The film stars Russell Crowe as the Hispano-Roman General turned gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridus, as well as Joaquin Phoenix as power-hungry Roman ruler Commodus. The role served as Phoenix's first major career-defining breakthrough role. Gladiator was a box office smash, grossing over $457 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing movie of 2000. The film was also a hit with critics, who praised its writing, performances, visual effects, and directing. It would go on to win five Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound. The movie remains in the pop culture zeitgeist, and it appears a sequel is in the works.
Scott sat down with Deadline over the weekend and revealed that the script for Gladiator 2 is written. When asked about the script, Scott replied, "Oh, it's been written. It's already been written." Scott further elaborates by saying they "can't just do another Gladiator type movie." However, the director feels there's "enough components" from the original movie to "pick up the ball" and continue the story. View Scott's quote revealing the Gladiator 2 script is written, below:
Quote:
"Oh, it’s been written. It’s already been written. We have a good footprint, a good, logical place to go. You can’t just do another Gladiator type movie. You’ve got to follow…there’s enough components from the first one to pick up the ball and continue it."
While not much is known about a possible Gladiator 2, rumors foretell it may revolve around Lucius, who is the young ruler that Maximus saves by killing his uncle Commodus in the original movie. The script for Gladiator 2 originally had Peter Craig attached to write it; however, it appears the writer for Scott's upcoming Apple TV+ film, Kitbag, David Scarpa is on it. During the interview, Scott also explains that an illustration by Gérôme, titled For Those About to Die, inspired the sequel. The illustration shows the Coliseum with a guy in the corner about to "tuna fork" another person, but looks up for permission to kill. After seeing the image, Scott and his writing team "hit the ground running" to evolve the new script.
Throughout his career, Scott has directed and produced some of the most iconic movies in cinema. His 2000 film Gladiator is no exception. Many people consider the ending of Gladiator to be nearly perfect, negating any reason for a sequel; however, given the right story, fans may be willing to return to the world one more time. Nonetheless, no other info about Gladiator 2 is known right now, so only time will tell if it will live up to the hype of the first one.
