It’s been a few months since we’ve heard any further whispers about the possibleGladiatorsequel that has been in the works since, well, you know, since the first movie hits theaters way back in 2000. And today seems to be no different as this morning we have word via the producers of the plannedGladiator 2, Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, that they are still working with director Ridley Scott and Peter Craig on the film and the story will pick up 25-30 years later, which makes sense.
The producing pair were out and about promoting their newest installment in theMen in Blackseries. During the recent and ongoing press tour forMIB 4, Parkes and MacDonald dropped this new info onGladiator 2with MacDonald saying this.
“We’re working with Ridley Scott, 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.”
Parkes added this.
“It picks up the story 30 years later… 25 years later.”
Now I know what you’re thinking? Who is this Peter Craig fellow that the producers have put in charge of such an… important, can I call this an important script? Ah, why not. Anyhow, even though you’ve probably never heard of the man, that doesn’t by any means mean the screenwriter is a slouch. Not by a long shot. Craig is, in fact, known for placing pen to paper behind the scenes of such new classics. They include Ben Affleck’sThe Townstarring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner, Francis Lawrence’sThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 & 2starring Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, Jean-François Richet’sBlood Fatherstarring Mel Gibson, and Nicolai Fuglsig’s12 Strongwith Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon.
The man also has some other high profile movies in the works such as Joseph Kosinski’s upcomingTop GunsequelTop Gun: Maverickstarring Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, and Val Kilmer, and the live-action adaptation of the popular animeCowboy Bebop. So it seems the powers that be behind the scenes ofGladiator 2snagged one of the highest profile script-men out there. Makes sense. This is, after all, an important script.
And speaking of scripts, the originalGladiatorwas directed byRidley Scottfrom a screenplay written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson based on a story by Franzoni. Douglas Wick, David Franzoni, and Branko Lustig produced, and the film starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Oliver Reed as Antonius Proximo, Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus, and Djimon Hounsou as Juba. Richard Harris joined as Marcus Aurelius, and Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius Verus. The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Director for Ridley Scott. It won five including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound Mixing. Will there ever actually be aGladiator 2? I guess only time will tell. This update comes to us viaHey You Guys.
