Ridley Scott is directing films at a rate that would make Nic Cage’s workload seem lazy in comparison, but it still comes as something of a surprise to hear that the perennially rumored Gladiator sequel is being “written now” and will be “ready to go” once the workaholic helmer has finished his Napoleon biopic Kitbag.
While talking to Empire Magazine about his upcoming 14th century medieval mash-up The Last Duel, the 83-year old director, who also has the Adam Driver and Lady Gaga starrer House of Gucci in the can, revealed that he was already “having Gladiator written now” and that “when I’ve done Napoleon, Gladiator will be ready to go.”
Gladiator won five Academy Awards back in 2001, including Best Picture, and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. It also made over $465M at the worldwide box-office, so the subject of a sequel has been rumbling on for years. Producer Walter F. Parkes confirmed back in 2019 that the film will be set 25-30 years after the original with reports claiming at the time of the announcement in 2018 that the initial plan was to continue the story through Lucius, the son of Lucilla and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus. However, there has been no definitive confirmation if the creative team will be sticking to this premise or not.
SEE ALSO: Go behind-the-scenes of The Last Duel with Ridley Scott in new featurette
What do you think of this news? Do you think we’ll ever get to be entertained by a Gladiator sequel, or should it be left as a standalone masterpiece? Let us know by heading to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
