Ridley Scott’s Idea for Gladiator 3 is Influenced by The Godfather

As a seasoned movie buff who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless cinematic epics, I must say that the prospect of a Gladiator threequel is nothing short of exhilarating! The fact that Ridley Scott draws inspiration from the iconic Godfather trilogy is not only intriguing but also promising.


Ridley Scott confirms that he’s working on a third installment of the “Gladiator” series, drawing inspiration from the “Godfather” trilogy. According to his interview with USA Today, he stated: “Indeed, it’s happening – ‘Gladiator III’ is in the works, and I found myself taking ideas from Francis Ford Coppola’s mafia drama.” In other words, Scott admitted that he plans to borrow some concepts from the “Godfather” trilogy for his upcoming “Gladiator” film.

Scott drew a parallel between the character development in “Gladiator II” and the evolution of the Corleone family in the initial two “Godfather” films. In the latest sequel, Lucius (Paul Mescal), despite living peacefully in a distant Roman colony, finds himself compelled to return to the Colosseum against his will – mirroring Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) predicament in the first film. This connection reminded Scott of “The Godfather II”, as he admired the concept of a man who doesn’t desire the role he’s inherited, but is unable to escape it. This idea truly captivates him.

This interview provides us with some clues about where “Gladiator III” may be going, but director Scott didn’t explicitly reveal the details in this conversation. To put it simply, “The Godfather Part III” takes place around two decades after “Part II,” and Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) grapples with guilt for his actions as a mob boss. He attempts to alleviate these feelings through charitable donations and aiming to leave behind a cleaner legacy for the next generation. However, the world is rapidly changing and there’s an increasing effort to hold him accountable for the misdeeds of his organization throughout the years.

What CouldGladiator III be About?

It’s not difficult to envision how another Gladiator film could evoke a comparable feeling of tragedy and irony, with some additional layers of fictionalized history. Scott hasn’t hinted at when production might begin on this project or when we can expect to watch it in theaters. At 86 years old, the director has numerous tasks, but it seems that one aspect he enjoyed about filming this movie was doing it quickly.

[RELATED: Gladiator II: Explaining the Real Roman History Behind the Film]

He mentioned that they completed “Gladiator II” in just 51 days, which was significantly faster than the initial 100 days. With 11 cameras running simultaneously, he warned that attempting such a fast pace without proper knowledge could lead to chaos.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that crafting a masterpiece like “Gladiator II” doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes countless days of writing and pre-production to get everything lined up before the cameras start rolling. So, don’t expect it to hit the big screen right away. But good news! If you can’t wait, “Gladiator” is currently streaming on Paramount+. And if you’re in the mood for something epic, why not dive into the world of “The Godfather” trilogy? It’s also available on Paramount+. Enjoy the movies!

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2024-11-25 19:10