Ridley Scott Set To Reboot Gladiator With A Sequel

While Crowe’s Maximus character met his end in the classic original film, Gladiator 2 will follow the continuing story of Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). The youth was the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the weaselly son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius, who murdered his father, seized the throne and wound up in the gladiator ring with Maximus, who mortally wounded and skewered the emperor before fading into the great beyond to reunite with his slain wife and son. Maximus saved the boy and his mother while avenging his own family, and left a strong impression on the young Lucius.

The original was made by DreamWorks and distributed by Universal. Sources said the charge here is being led by Scott and his Scott Free banner. Oscar nominated for the first film, Scott wants to direct.  The screenplay will be written by Peter Craig, whose credits include The Town and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2, as well as 12 Strong and the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick. He also just turned in the script for the remake of Logan’s Run to Warner Bros, Simon Kinberg and Joel Silver, and is just finishing adapting Stags for Fox 2000.

Sources said Paramount will be the studio developing the project, and Universal has the option to co-finance. DreamWorks is out of it. Crowe’s Maximus is a tough act to follow, but the brutal world of Roman gladiators is so compelling, who wouldn’t be entertained by another plunge into that world?

Will you be watching Gladiator 2? Let us know your favourite moment from Gladiator in the comments.