Ridley Scott to Direct ‘Gladiator’ Sequel

Reports from Deadline have revealed that Paramount are shaping up a sequel for Universal’s 2000 box office hit and Oscar-winning success Gladiator, with original director Ridley Scott set to return at the helm.

Top Gun: Maverick screenwriter Peter Craig (The Town; Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1 & 2) has been challenged with resurrecting the story in the aftermath of central protagonist Maximus’ death at the end of the original film, with this narrative centring on the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius, the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus. The sequel, which is expected to be Scott’s next feature directorial effort, will present Lucius as a Roman greatly influenced by Maximus, though other story details are currently scarce.

The sequel is reportedly being fast-tracked as the next project for Scott after his upcoming venture into TV on TNT’s ‘Raised By Wolves’ and will mark the 80 year old Englishman’s first feature film since the release of mild awards season contender All the Money in the World (2017).

Universal Pictures, the studio which backed the original project, reportedly has an opt-in deal regarding co-financing this venture, though they are yet to make a decision.

[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_SOCIAL_ICONS]