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Gladiators Douglas Wick, Ridley Scott, and David Franzoni." />
Gladiators Douglas Wick, Ridley Scott, and David Franzoni.
Ever since Gladiator won Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards, there have been rumors swirling about a possible follow-up to it. DreamWorks SKG is apparently keen on cashing in on the critical and commercial success of the first film but details on this proposed project have remained sketchy so far. The most in-depth comments made on the record about the project have come from Gladiator producer Douglas Wick to the Web site Popcorn UK. Wick recently "confirmed" for Popcorn UK that "talks are underway to make a prequel to the swords 'n' sandals epic."Wick explained that there's "certainly something being discussed, but there's been no decision made. We're looking at lots of options ... You don't finally do something like that unless you have a dazzling story to tell. What we certainly won't do is some shadow of the first one to grind out a few bucks." One of the biggest questions raised about a new Gladiator is whether or not Russell Crowe – whose character Maximus died at the end of the first film – will also return now that he's got a Best Actor Oscar, a bigger salary, and far more options before him. "We'd have to think very seriously about that, (Russell has) a lot of voltage on screen," Wick told Popcorn. There's also no word yet on whether original Gladiator director Ridley Scott will be involved in the follow-up.
Now IGN FilmForce has learned from a source in the know that original Gladiator writer-producer David Franzoni (Amistad) is in early negotiations with DreamWorks to script either a prequel OR a sequel to the first film. This is the first real indication we've had that the project is indeed lurching forward. It's also the first I've heard of a sequel to Gladiator; all the rumors so far have suggested the project will likely be a prequel. Now, this is just good ol' Stax speculating here, folks, and not a fact but it seems to me that since DreamWorks is considering a possible sequel that suggests they plan to go ahead with this follow-up (and possibly use new characters?) just in case original star Russell Crowe doesn't return. Like the old adage says, the show must go on. Stay tuned to IGN FilmForce for more news on the next Gladiator as it comes our way!
– STAX thinks a sequel might make more sense than a prequel.