Momentum is gaining steam for Gladiator 2, with a producer for the potential film now saying the odds are good that the film will be made. Released in May 2000, the tale of Maximus rising from slave to gladiator in an attempt to avenge the murder of his family instantly became a box office and critical success. The film ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Russell Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Maximus.
The idea of a sequel to Gladiator has been floated for decades now, ever since the original movie took the world by storm at the turn of the century in 2000. There are still many challenges to making a sequel, but there are active discussions taking place in regards to bringing a new movie to life. Since then, the hope for a sequel (or prequel) has existed. Now, fans are closer than ever to seeing a Gladiator sequel come to fruition.
In an interview with Uproxx, producer Douglas Wick stated that the odds of the sequel being created are "more than 50 percent." In fact, prior to the interview, Wick said that he was discussing the film with director Ridley Scott, noting that it was something they were "working on." Wick did point out that doing a sequel for the right reasons was important, as nobody "wants some cynical shadow to make some bucks."
Neither Wick nor Scott are strangers to creating a sequel/prequel to beloved movies, with mixed results. Scott directed Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, both of which are part of the Alien franchise Scott first helmed in 1979. Meanwhile, Wick has served as a producer for both the Stuart Little and Divergent sequels. While Scott and Wick are still on board to give another Hollywood Blockbuster a sequel, it's unknown if Peter Craig is still attached to write the Gladiator 2 script.
By the end of Gladiator, Maximus is no more, meaning a sequel would have to focus on an entirely different character unless they go the route of a prequel. There have been a wide variety of ideas floated on how to approach this subject matter, with writer Nick Cave once creating a script that would involve Maximus essentially being reincarnated in the vessel of another warrior. Centering a sequel on Lucius, son of Lucilla, has also been rumored. No matter what direction is chosen, it seems that Gladiator 2 is well on the way to becoming a reality down the road.
Source: Uproxx
