Sir Ridley Scott is working on a script for a Gladiator sequel but is finding it a ‘real challenge’ to continue the epic story
Sir Ridley Scott is working on a Gladiator sequel, a producer on the iconic 2000 film has revealed.
Doug Wick said the director is attempting to make a follow-up film, but it is proving to be a challenge because nobody wants to make another film just for the sake of it.
He told ComicBook.com: ‘Ridley would love to do it. It’s really all about getting something on paper.
In the works: Sir Ridley Scott (pictured) is working on a sequel to Gladiator, producer Doug Wick has revealed
‘Everyone [involved with the original] loves the movie too much to ever consider cheaply exploiting it and making something that’s a shadow of it.
‘It’s just really a clear creative problem, working on a script, and if we can ever get it to a place … Ridley’s working on it, it’s really just a question of whether we can get it to a place where it feels worthy to make it. It’s a real challenge.’
Plans for the sequel come despite lead character Maximus Decimus Meridius – played by Russell Crowe – being dead.
Epic: There have been rumours for a number of years of a sequel to the 2000 iconic film set in ancient Rome
Hotly anticipated: Producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald said last year they are working with Ridley and writer Peter Craig on the project
Last year, producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald said a sequel would be set 25 to 30 years after the original.
Speaking at the time to Hey U Guys, Men in Black producer Laurie said: ‘We’re working with Ridley. That’s one we wouldn’t touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate.
‘We’re working with an amazing writer as well, Peter Craig.’
Her husband Walter added: ‘It picks up the story 30 years later… 25 years later.’
It was previously rumoured that the film would follow Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson) and nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
The timeline now suggests a sequel would pick up with Lucius as a young adult, but it is unknown whether Spencer would return to the role.
Both Walter and Laurie worked as executive producers on the original Gladiator film, which starred Russell Crowe as Maximus, in 2000.
Laurie said: ‘We’re working with Ridley. That’s one we wouldn’t touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate’
The film garnered an impressive 11 Oscar nominations and five wins including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
He recently admitted he almost turned down Gladiator, but as soon as producer Walter Parkes told him Scott was at the helm, he was intrigued enough to open talks.
He said: ‘I’d read the script and I thought it wasn’t a movie. But then Parkes said, ‘It’s 184 A.D., you’re a Roman general, and you’re going to be directed by Ridley Scott.’
‘And that was enough for me to want to talk to Ridley.’
Rumours: It was previously rumoured that the film would follow Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielson) and nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix)