Is Gladiator 2 Back On?
Filed under: Action, RumorMonger, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Remakes and Sequels
Wayyy back in 2003, Ridley Scott was real keen on directing a sequel to his Oscar-winning flick Gladiator. However, unable to come up with a way to make the film without Russell Crowe (ya know, since his character Maximus died at the end of the first one), Scott quickly abandoned the idea. Then, in 2005, there was word from both Crowe and Djimon Hounsou that a Gladiator 2 script was, indeed, in the works.
One year and a Gladiator musical later, nothing more had been said on the subject ... until now. According to reports (which feel strangely familiar, so feel free to hang us out to dry if this is old news), Ridley Scott will not only be making a sequel to Gladiator, but he also plans to somehow factor Crowe into the whole thing. Says Scott, "I will probably do a sequel to Gladiator. The only problem is Russell Crowe was such a powerful presence and, of course, Maximus dies at the end. We'll have to get Russell back somehow." I don't know about you, but I'd love to see how they plan on resurrecting Maximus without giving it some cheesy soap opera-ish spin. As of now there are no other details, but you bet your ass I'll be on the look out for some. All hail Maximus!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
8-31-2006 @ 12:03PM
D said...
Back flashes. Probably a lot of back flashes. I have my doubts about how this will play out.
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8-31-2006 @ 12:03PM
EO said...
Maximus comes back as a zombie. It's the only solution.
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8-31-2006 @ 12:12PM
D said...
I think "flash backs" makes more sense.
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8-31-2006 @ 12:17PM
jmchez said...
It'll be "The Adventures of Juba" as he makes his way back to his family in Africa (the continent not the Roman province that gave the name to the whole land mass). As he does so, like others have said, he will reminisce about the stories that Maximus told him and meet other people that knew Maximus and his family.
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8-31-2006 @ 12:53PM
Russell Crowe said...
Easy...
1) his death was only a dream (like the Bob Newhart Show finale)
2) Twin brother Minimus (Maximus' identical twin never before mentioned)
3) Sequel is actually a prequel.
of course, all my suggestions sux. :)
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8-31-2006 @ 1:55PM
Vince said...
"Gladiator II, the origins of Maximus". definatly a prequel.
Take his life story, up to where he leaves Lucilla, the first time. (Connie Neilson)
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8-31-2006 @ 2:24PM
Nick James said...
I was pondering this idea back in 2000, and I couldn't come up with anything decent other than a prequel. And I still can't. I don't really want to see a prequel...
Plus, if it's a prequel, how will it be a gladiator movie? It'd be a misnomer of a title. Maybe a new title, if it focuses on Rome and Maximus and asskicking. Just market it as Ridley Scott's prequel to Gladiator and people will see it.
Meh.
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9-05-2006 @ 7:09PM
John Stamos said...
You guys are all beaners!
Its gonna be about Maximus' illegitmate son
And he need to save Zion against agent smith
-John Stamos
You dirty Messyskins
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9-01-2006 @ 3:15AM
Joe said...
easy...if i get this right, do i get anything for helping crowe's career and scott? here it is...using the same weaponry and skills...while in purgatory or a limbo state, doesn't have to be purgatory, but just some place where a good and evil prescense exist. the people crowe has killed or anyone who is lucky enough to be there, all the while, try to get to a final destination of heaven or whatever you want to call it.
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9-06-2006 @ 8:14PM
Mike said...
The Prequel idea wouldnt be bad but it wouldnt be as good. The idea of flashbacks would be the best ay of doing it. although in those days there were the beliefs of many gods including the underworld and the idea of purgatory sounds intriging having hom fight for his soul or the right to return to the living or be a spiritual guide to the young boy in the first one as he becomes leader
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9-06-2006 @ 8:15PM
Meli said...
Why dont we let history remain as it was...Maximus died in victory...for his people of course. There is no way around it other than above mentioned flashbacks that would only change and distort the real course of history that took place on after his death. Though I would like to see a martyr resurrected but in the events that took place back there in history, he would of died no less in honor than portrayed in the movie. The loss of his family...but the resurrection to come back and rule as King beside the woman who becomes QUEEN in the end does make HISTORY. ;D
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9-06-2006 @ 8:17PM
walt smith said...
The gods at Mt Olympus send him back down because his mission is not accomplished. How's that for a comeback?
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9-07-2006 @ 11:21AM
jack schooley said...
In the world of that time, many believed in miracles and near death experiences, spirit worlds, etc. Did we see Maximus actually buried? What happened to his body after being carried out of the arena? In his final journey in the dream world where he opened the gate and entered his home, could he not be stopped by a higher power before completing his journey and told he had one more trial before he could complete the final journey and begin to regain some state of conscienciousness and be nursed back to health by Lucilla or Juba to fight again?
And, maybe provide her with a son to follow in his father's footsteps for future episodes?
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9-06-2006 @ 8:20PM
Meli said...
I LOVED Cinderella Man...I would love to see Russell in more movies like it and YES I think I could "survive" another Gladiator II..so long as he is in it. :D
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9-07-2006 @ 9:29AM
DL said...
I say start the movie w/ Maximus gasping for air while being carried. Then have a medicine man save his life. They carried him off as if he were dead...Maybe he had not died yet. Well, we shall see...
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9-06-2006 @ 8:27PM
Chris said...
Easy... 2 is set in pergatory
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9-06-2006 @ 8:32PM
Fred said...
If this is true I am extremely excited! The only way I could see this sequal happening is if the sequal is actually a prequal. It should take place prior to the first Gladiator! Whatever may come of this I will be eagerly awaiting. I am sure I can speak for millions of other fans as well!
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9-08-2006 @ 1:46PM
Ken said...
Being that the myth has the dearly departed Crowe flying to pagan Rome's 'heaven' there is no reason the pagan Roman gods can't send him back to the land of the living for some great cause. Its the stuff Greek & Roman mythology is made of.
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9-06-2006 @ 8:30PM
michael said...
Leave it alone Gladiator was one of the first classic of the 21 st century with all sorts of action and blood . dont tarnish the movie with a sequel that maybe considered inferior.
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9-06-2006 @ 8:36PM
Ed McDaniels said...
As I remember the end he was lying in the arena having a vision of the after life and being carried out. The sequel starts there, after taking him out they find that he isn't quite dead, after days of nursing he wakes up disappointed that he is no longer in the herafter with his wife and son. Then it takes off from there.
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