Although Gladiator II has not yet arrived in theaters, the talented director Ridley Scott has announced that the epic franchise will not be forgotten again, as he is already developing the third installment.
The sequel follows Lucius, who is forced to enter the Coliseum after witnessing the conquest of his homeland by the tyrannical emperors ruling Rome with an iron fist, years after the death of his uncle.
Now, for the next movie in the saga, several actors are expected to return. The 86-year-old director has hinted a bit at what we can expect, such as the possible lead and the official plot. Here, check everything that is known so far…
Are there any actors confirmed for Gladiator III?
Paul Mescal has not confirmed his involvement in the third Gladiator film, but after starring in the sequel, the actor is expected to reprise his role as Lucius, especially considering how the story has ended.
Connie Nielsen has been present in both installments as Lucilla, Lucius’s mother. Therefore, if her character is still alive by the end, it is estimated that she could also return one last time.
Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal in Gladiator II. (Source: IMDb)
What will Gladiator III be about?
The official plot has not yet been revealed, but the director has spoken about what the story will be about, stating that it will focus on a character who really does not want to be where they are, so they will have a long battle ahead.
“I’m already toying with the idea of Gladiator 3. I lit the wick… The ending of Gladiator II evokes that of The Godfather, with Michael Corleone facing a job he didn’t want and wondering, ‘and now, Father, what am I doing?’ The next [film] will therefore be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is“, Ridley said.
When could Gladiator III be released?
The sequel to Gladiator will hit theaters on November 22, 2024, just before Christmas. This means that filming for the third installment could begin around March or April of 2025, if all goes well.
If this happens, the next installment could arrive sometime in 2026 or early 2027. If this occurs, it would be Ridley Scott’s first trilogy of his entire career, as he has only directed sequels until now.
