Ridley Scott’s recent comments about where possible Gladiator 3 Could go could have spoiled the ending of the highly anticipated Gladiator 2 Two months before its release. A sequel to Gladiator was in development Since the blockbuster success of the original film back in 2000, but it took over two decades for a follow-up movie to come together. The sequel went through a lot of iterations – including one wild one Gladiator 2 Script with a resurrected Maximus – before a project was put together with which Scott was happy.
And not only is Scott happy with how Gladiator 2 turned; He has already thought for Gladiator 3. Gladiator 2 isn’t set to hit theaters until November 22 (November 15 in the UK), however Scott is already touting the next movie in the series. Although it is certainly exciting that Scott is willing to dive back into the Gladiator franchise and complete the trilogy right after the second film, his comments about the potential threequel appear to contain spoilers for Gladiator 2.
Gladiator 2 may have a very different ending than its predecessor
The trailer for Gladiator 2 Seems to suggest a very similar storyline to the first movie. Paul Mescal stars as Lucius Verus, who, like Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the first, is taken prisoner by the Roman army and forced to fight as a gladiator. The Necometer Gladiator works his way up through the ranks in pursuit of a personal vendetta against the military leaders he holds responsible. The trailer even hints that this will build to a climactic showdown in the arena. So far, it’s more or less the same story as the original film.
But based on Scott’s comments about a possible Gladiator 3It seems like though Gladiator 2 Will have a very different ending than the original movie. The director said that the end of Gladiator 2 is similar to the end of The GodIn which Michael Corleone finds himself with “a job he didn’t want,“Wondering what to do with himself in this new position of power. Scott said this Gladiator 3 would then follow”A man who doesn’t want to be where he is.“
At the end of the original Gladiator In the movie, Maximus gets his revenge, but he dies in the process and is reunited with his family in the afterlife. Scott’s comments suggest that the sequel will take a different approach to its conclusion. The parallels with Michael’s arc in The godfather Hinting that Lucius will not only survive the story, But will even become the new emperor until the end.
Why Lucius becomes Emperor makes sense for Gladiator 2
Forcing Lucius to accept his fate seems like a fittingly tragic ending
Maximus’ ending was perfect for the first one Gladiator Movie. Reuniting Maximus with his late family in the afterlife was a more satisfying conclusion to his arc than getting revenge. After exacting his revenge, Maximus finally found peace. This was strong, but a similar ending in Gladiator 2 Won’t have the same impact, especially after the first film. The ending teased by Scott is much more fitting for Lucius’ story – at least based on what was revealed about Gladiator 2 Until now – because It provides the film’s song with an ironic twist of fate.
Having Lucius die triumphantly in combat while avenging the men he lost would have been a serviceable ending, but it would have felt like a rehash of Maximus’ story.
Having Lucius die triumphantly in combat while embracing the men he lost would have been a serviceable ending, but It would have felt like a rehash of Maximus’ story. Forcing Lucius to accept his fate and unbelievably accept this responsibility is much more poetic. Lucius has to take on the very thing he ran away from.
Gladiator 3 will be a very different movie if Lucius becomes Emperor
Gladiator 3 won’t just be a soft remake like Gladiator 2
Unless there are some twists and turns that the Gladiator 2 Trailers are hiding, the sequel seems to follow very similar story beats to the first film. Lucius takes on a similar role to Maximus. He is the hero who was taken from his family and forced into a life as a gladiator. He fights his way to celebrity status in the arena and bides his time as he seeks revenge against the Emperor (or Emperors). Even with the different ending teased by Scott, Gladiator 2 is shaping up to be a soft remake of the original.
But if Gladiator 2 Really makes Lucius the emperor in his final act, then it will set the stage for Gladiator 3 To tell a completely different kind of story. It may follow similar plot beats, with an underdog hero rising through the gladiatorial ranks to take on the Emperor. however, The story will be told from the Emperor’s perspective. Gladiator 2 Could set the stage for a radical change in the Drakequel, and it would add even more excitement to Scott’s series of films.