Director Ridley Scott Hints at Possible ‘Gladiator III’

Title: Gladiator II’s arrival raises concerns about the future fate of the franchise

Key points:
– Director Ridley Scott hints at a possible box office release for Gladiator III.
– Fans fear that the sequel to Gladiator will suffer a similar setback to Kevin Costner’s Horizon saga.
– Gladiator II hits theaters on November 22.

Ridley Scott’s future as a filmmaker hangs by a thread

As moviegoers eagerly await the November 22 box office release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, a wave of concern has swept over them. The director recently hinted at well-thought-out plans for Gladiator III. The speculation has stoked fears among fans who worry that Scott’s creation could meet a fate similar to Kevin Costner’s Horizon saga.

Return to Glory: The Promise of Gladiator II

The upcoming feature film Gladiator II, starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, has sent waves of excitement through the fan base. The success of Russell Crowe’s first Gladiator film has heightened this anticipation. Fans are eager to get a taste of Scott’s apparent comeback after his less-than-stellar Napoleon effort.

However, Scott’s recent hint about possible concept plans for Gladiator III has fans worried. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker candidly shared that he would rather continue with Gladiator III than shift his focus to other projects.

The Fresh Idea: Gladiator III

Scott plans to incorporate elements from the 1974 classic The Godfather II for potential Gladiator III plot inspiration. However, fans are unsure how he’ll adapt a mafia-themed idea to a Gladiator context.

It gets more complicated: Will Gladiator go Costner’s way?

Scott’s move bears an eerie resemblance to director Kevin Costner’s failed saga Horizon. In June 2022, Costner announced his Western-themed project Horizon as a four-part film. Unforeseen circumstances, including writers’ strikes, stalled its progress.

Horizon’s Unexpected Horde

Costner launched the first installment of Horizon in June 2024, a year after he announced the next installments. However, the project was a flop, earning a lukewarm Rotten Tomatoes score of 50% and grossing just $34 million against a $50 million budget.

Despite the rocky start, Costner still plans to finish production on the rest of the series. His production company, Territory Film Studios, is financially backing the remaining parts. However, film critics have criticized this decision, saying the actor was financially imprudent.

Will Gladiator III follow Horizon’s misstep?

Fans are weighing Scott’s Gladiator III plans, urging him to focus on promoting the sequel before considering the release of a third sequel. Echoing fan sentiments, the general consensus is for Scott to base his future plans on the box office performance of Gladiator II.

While audiences eagerly await Gladiator II’s November theatrical release, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 will continue to wait a little longer, with a release date looming before the end of the year.

Whether Ridley Scott’s Gladiator III will ultimately soar to a triumphant haul or sink like a sinking stone, only time can tell. As fans hold on to their tickets for Gladiator II , they can only hope that their favorite film franchise doesn’t go down the same unfortunate path as Kevin Costner’s Horizon .