Renowned director Ridley Scott is drawing inspiration from Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic The Godfather trilogy as he envisions the conclusion of his own Gladiator saga with the anticipated third installment.

SPOILER WARNING: This article will contain some spoilers for Gladiator II, particularly in how it may set up Gladiator III.

It is well-known that Ridley Scott intends to release a director’s cut of Gladiator II, but his ambition does not stop there. He is eager to further enrich the Gladiator universe with a potential Gladiator III. What is particularly intriguing is the source of his inspiration for this next chapter, as Scott looks to one of the greatest cinematic trilogies in history for guidance on how to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences.

Regarding Gladiator III—which, it’s important to note, has not yet been officially greenlit—Scott is specifically inspired by the character development showcased in The Godfather series. He noted to The Hollywood Reporter that he has a vision for Lucius’s journey that parallels Michael Corleone’s complex arc. Scott elaborated, “There’s already an idea. I always had this idea that The Godfather ends with Michael not wanting the job. He sits there, and there’s this push-in on Al. He’s already had his hand kissed. He’s betrayed his wife with lies. [Lucius] isn’t quite that evil at all. He’s wondering, ‘Father, what do I do?’ Paul not wanting the job is a good place to start.”

Paul Mescal, who portrays Lucius—son of the slain Maximus—has expressed his enthusiasm for a potential Gladiator III installment, stating he is “massively down” for the project. However, he hopes the timeline for this sequel won’t stretch out another twenty-five years. Given that Ridley Scott is currently 86 years old, there is a sense of urgency to realize these plans before it’s too late. Fans are eager for the continuation of this epic saga and are hopeful for a timely release.

As we await the final box office performance results for Gladiator II, preliminary estimates suggest it is on track to earn around $60 million. This figure would surpass the opening weekend earnings of the original Gladiator, which hit theaters in 2000. With these promising numbers, there is a strong likelihood that the sequel will perform even better overall at the box office, especially considering that the original film grossed over $450 million globally. With such box office potential, the development of Gladiator III seems inevitable, particularly given the significant narrative developments in Gladiator II. Scott has even indicated that he made pivotal choices in the storyline, such as keeping Lucius alive while eliminating his mother, Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen), to deepen the character’s motivations and drive the narrative forward.

Did you catch Gladiator II during its opening weekend? What are your thoughts on the potential for a Gladiator III? We’d love to hear your insights and opinions in the comments below!