Gladiator 2star Paul Mescal gives his thoughts on the possibility of returning for a third movie, which would mark a career first for him. In 2000, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up for the Oscar-winning masterpieceGladiator, which ignited the box office, saw a resurgence in popularity for sword-and-sandals epics, and catapulted Crowe to superstar status. Now, 24 years later, Scott has returned - without Crowe - to direct the long-awaited sequel,next week’sGladiator 2, with Mescal in the lead role of Lucius. The movie is already being tipped for huge success.
In an interview withVariety, Mescal discusses the chances of making aGladiator 3, which would make this his first franchise. He reveals thathe is very interested in the prospect of returningto the series, but admits he has no idea when (or even if) it might happen. Check out his response below:
Oh yeah, massively down. I don’t think it will be [24] years — but I have no idea when it will be.
What This Means For Mescal’s Career Prospects
The 28-Year-Old Could Be On The Cusp Of Stardom
Playing the lead in a movie likeGladiator 2is no small prospect even for a seasoned star, never mind a rising actor like Mescal. However, it appears from his comments that theAftersunstar has taken to his leading man status with natural charisma.He also seems to have grasped the magnitude of the role he has entered into, and thatGladiator 2has turned the iconic original movie into what could be an equally impressive and expansive franchise.
In terms of stakes and potential box office, it could wind up being the biggest film he will ever make.
A return forGladiator 3would signal Mescal’s first official franchise role. If the third movie does happen (which will depend a lot on the box office success ofGladiator 2),there is a good chance it will be within the next few yearstoo, further boosting his status. Regardless of whether Mescal does wind up returning for a third installment,Gladiator 2looks set to be one of the biggest moviesof 2024, and will undoubtedly be the biggest movie of the Irish actor’s career to date. In terms of stakes and potential box office, it could wind up being the biggest film he will ever make.
Our Take On Gladiator 3’s Prospects
A Third Movie Feels More Likely Than Ever
Gladiator 2was so long in the making that it’s hard to imagine a follow-up would happen so soon, but this is the most likely avenue. With streaming taking power away from theaters, the need to franchise popular stories is greater than ever, as is the need to capitalize on success. I think ifGladiator 2scores a healthy opening weekend, and eventually out-grosses the original,Gladiator 3will be all but a guarantee. Mescal’s desire to return suggests his character will survive the events ofGladiator 2, and that the movie could even set upGladiator 3.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
