Gladiator 3 Could Mark A Career First For Paul Mescal As The Lucius Star Addresses Potential Sequel Return

Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal gives his thoughts on the possibility of returning for a third movie, which would mark a career first for him. In 2000, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up for the Oscar-winning masterpiece Gladiator, which ignited the box office, saw a resurgence in popularity for sword-and-sandals epics, and catapulted Crowe to superstar status. Now, 24 years later, Scott has returned – without Crowe – to direct the long-awaited sequel, next week’s Gladiator 2, with Mescal in the lead role of Lucius. The movie is already being tipped for huge success.

In an interview with Variety, Mescal discusses the chances of making a Gladiator 3, which would make this his first franchise. He reveals that he is very interested in the prospect of returning to the series, but admits he has no idea when (or even if) it might happen. Check out his response below:

Oh yeah, massively down. I don’t think it will be [24] years — but I have no idea when it will be.

What This Means For Mescal’s Career Prospects

The 28-Year-Old Could Be On The Cusp Of Stardom

Playing the lead in a movie like Gladiator 2 is no small prospect even for a seasoned star, never mind a rising actor like Mescal. However, it appears from his comments that the Aftersun star has taken to his leading man status with natural charisma. He also seems to have grasped the magnitude of the role he has entered into, and that Gladiator 2 has turned the iconic original movie into what could be an equally impressive and expansive franchise.

A return for Gladiator 3 would signal Mescal’s first official franchise role. If the third movie does happen (which will depend a lot on the box office success of Gladiator 2), there is a good chance it will be within the next few years too, further boosting his status. Regardless of whether Mescal does wind up returning for a third installment, Gladiator 2 looks set to be one of the biggest movies of 2024, and will undoubtedly be the biggest movie of the Irish actor’s career to date. In terms of stakes and potential box office, it could wind up being the biggest film he will ever make.

Our Take On Gladiator 3’s Prospects

A Third Movie Feels More Likely Than Ever

Gladiator 2 was so long in the making that it’s hard to imagine a follow-up would happen so soon, but this is the most likely avenue. With streaming taking power away from theaters, the need to franchise popular stories is greater than ever, as is the need to capitalize on success. I think if Gladiator 2 scores a healthy opening weekend, and eventually out-grosses the original, Gladiator 3 will be all but a guarantee. Mescal’s desire to return suggests his character will survive the events of Gladiator 2, and that the movie could even set up Gladiator 3.

Source: Variety

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

David Scarpa , Peter Craig , David Franzoni

Cast

Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz

Character(s)

Lucius Verus , Marcus Acacius , Macrinus , Lucilla , Emperor Caracalla , Emperor Geta , Gracchus

Main Genre

Adventure

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