Ridley Scott Teases Franchise Updates, Confirms Sequel to 2024 Blockbuster

Ridley Scott has shared new updates about two of his biggest film series, confirming that Gladiator 3 is already in the works while leaving the door open for another Alien prequel.

Speaking recently, the legendary director said, “Gladiator is in process right now. Another Alien prequel – yeah, if I get an idea, for sure.”

Scott’s comments come just months after the release of Gladiator II in 2024, a long-awaited follow-up to his 2000 hit.

The second film was directed and produced by Scott, with a script written by David Scarpa. It starred Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus Aurelius, along with Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. Nielsen and Derek Jacobi returned from the original movie, while Mescal replaced Spencer Treat Clark in the role of Lucius.

The story of Gladiator II follows Lucius, the exiled prince of Rome, who is taken prisoner and forced to fight in the arena under Macrinus, a former slave plotting to overthrow the twin emperors Caracalla and Geta.

The project had been talked about for years. Plans for a sequel first appeared back in 2001 but stalled after DreamWorks was sold to Paramount in 2006. It wasn’t until 2018 that the movie was finally announced, with Mescal cast in early 2023. Filming ran from June 2023 to January 2024, facing a five-month delay due to Hollywood labor strikes.

When it hit theaters, the film received mixed-to-positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 70% approval score from nearly 400 critics, with an average rating of 6.6 out of 10. The site’s summary says, “Echoing its predecessor while upping the bloodsport and camp, Gladiator II is an action extravaganza that derives much of its strength and honor from Denzel Washington’s scene-stealing performance.”

Audiences still showed up. The movie grossed more than $462 million worldwide, with $172 million earned in the United States and Canada and $289 million internationally.

With that kind of success, it’s no surprise that Scott is already moving forward with Gladiator 3. As for another Alien prequel, fans will have to wait and see if the director finds the right idea to bring it back.

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