Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2: A Musical… Really?
Ridley Scott originally thought of something different for the sequel to his 2000 cult hit.
Ah, the almighty Gladiator! A film that made us swoon over pagan plots and lust for leather and swords. Can’t you just hear the echo of Maximus Decimus Meridius yelling, “Are you not entertained?” while the Romans applauded? But ten years ago, Ridley Scott had us all scratching our heads, ready to break out in song instead of fight or die. Yes, you heard me right—a musical sequel! I mean, who wouldn’t want to see fighters prancing about in gladiatorial gear, belting show tunes? There’s nothing like a sword fight followed by a little tap dance. “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, AND A-ONE, AND A-TWO…” What could possibly be more dramatic? Oh my dear, Ridley! What were you thinking?
The Musical Madness
In a recent interview with Deadline, Scott admits that he initially entertained the idea of a musical sequel in 2014 before it hit him like a rogue gladiator—that it was “pretty damn stupid.” Because, you know, nothing screams epic like “The Sound of Music” meets “Gladiator.” Forget the majestic arena filled with roaring crowds; let’s throw in a catchy chorus instead!
But not to worry! Before you start picturing Russell Crowe in a tutu, Scott’s less than enthusiastic reaction turned him toward a more sensible narrative, using his powers to bring back Maximus, despite him dying in the original film. Spoiler alert, folks: Death isn’t as permanent when you have portal access! Because why not just send our beloved gladiator back to murder a celebrity—uh, I mean, a historical figure like Jesus? Who else should be the ultimate showdown? Maximus vs. Jesus? Someone call Quentin Tarantino!
A Vision of Chaos
To create this masterpiece, Scott enlisted the help of musician Nick Cave. I can already hear you saying, “Nick Cave for a Gladiator sequel?!” Cave teamed up with Crowe to craft a plot where our favorite gladiator is sent back to Earth by the gods with the express purpose of… killing Jesus! I mean, really, as if Hollywood doesn’t have enough problems, let alone revisit the crucifixion from a wrestling match perspective! “Hey, Jesus! I’m back!”
But our dear Ridley was cautious; he recognized that the whole scenario tread far too close to absurdity, even for a chest-thumping, sword-swinging action flick. “Time distortions?” Ridley mused. “Pretty damn stupid.” And look who’s talking! We’re talking about a genre that was already carrying saggy narratives on its back like a failed Roman emperor. The only thing more absurd than resurrecting a dead character is thinking it could work as a Broadway musical. Can you imagine?
The Final Result: Real Gladiators
Fast forward to today, and the actual sequel hitting theaters on November 14th is quite different. Set 20 years after the original film, it stars the talented Paul Mescal as Lucius, Maximus’s son. No more high-kicking, show-stopping dances; thank the gods! But before you rejoice, let’s not forget that the plot still revolves around familial strife in the wake of the universe’s most iconic gladiator. It’s a tough gig being the offspring of a legendary figure; it must be like living in a historical shadow—talk about unrealistic expectations!
Producer Doug Wick claims they were aware of the original film’s profound impact. “We had to honor her, but also give people a story that felt worth telling on its own.” Ah, the eternal struggle of sequels—trying to fob off another round without being just another money-grab. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t involve a singing chorus in armor or time portals, for the love of all that’s gladiatorial!
So, how’s that for planning a sequel? Let’s stick to the brooding dramas, shall we? Leave the musicals to the Mamma Mia and Cats enthusiasts while the Gladiators keep your heart pounding with thundering hoofbeats and swords clashing. In the words of the great gladiators before us—“Let the games begin!”
Ridley Scott originally contemplated a vastly different direction for the much-anticipated sequel to his 2000 cult classic.
Ten years ago, acclaimed director Ridley Scott nearly pursued a concept reminiscent of the wildly successful “Joker” sequel for the long-discussed follow-up to Gladiator. Speaking to Deadline, Scott revealed that Gladiator 2 was initially envisioned as a musical sequel back in 2014. However, upon reflection, he dismissed the idea as “pretty damn stupid.”
Despite the character’s death in the original 2000 film, Russell Crowe would have reprised his iconic role as Maximus Decimus Meridius, while Joaquin Phoenix was expected to portray a key character referred to as Conveniently, emphasizing the surreal nature of this earlier concept.
The sequel scrapped ten years ago
As reported by Deadline, the 2014 sequel concept featured the musical talents of Nick Cave, who collaborated closely with Crowe to create a storyline in which Maximus is resurrected by the gods with a divine mission: to “kill Jesus Christ and his followers for allegedly stealing their prestige.” However, Scott expressed significant reservations about such a radical take on the beloved franchise, sharing that he felt the story strayed too far from its core.
“Nick Cave did a great job and Russell was fully involved” Scott remarked. “We all were, but I was the one who wasn’t convinced. I thought, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ I thought we were there moving too far from the goal and if you do, that’s where you can lose control.” He articulated his concerns further, stating: “The story got too rich and started to talk about time distortions, which frankly I thought was damn stupid. But the only thing I added was the great idea of open a portal of time in death which was supposed to come from the dying soul of a dying soldier on a battlefield. Isn’t that great? I kept the cartridge, thinking, ‘I’ll use this again somewhere‘.”
And indeed, Scott has reimagined that initial creativity in a more grounded way with the forthcoming Gladiator 2, scheduled to hit theaters on November 14. This sequel is set 20 years after the events of the original film and introduces audiences to Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, the son of Maximus, portrayed by Crowe. Lucius is the nephew of the formidable Marcus Aurelius, played by the late Richard Harris. The ensemble cast also features talented actors like Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
“It really took 20 years,” revealed producer Doug Wick, who, alongside partner Lucy Fisher, navigated the development process with great care. “We had tried to develop one 10 years ago, but we were not satisfied with it. We all agreed that we would never do some sort of money grab because the first movie did too well. So, these are the issues that we struggled with, and we were very aware of the impression that the first film made. We had to honor her, but also give people a story that felt worth telling on its own.”
– How does Ridley Scott describe the shift in narrative focus for *Gladiator 2* compared to the original film?
“we’re really pushing it here.” Ultimately, Scott’s steering of the project shifted toward a more grounded narrative that honors the legacy of the original film, rather than venturing into the absurdities of musical numbers and mythical missions.
### Interview with Ridley Scott: Glimpses of a Crazy Concept
**Interviewer:** Ridley, thank you for joining us today. It’s intriguing to hear about your initial idea for *Gladiator 2* as a musical. What inspired that concept?
**Ridley Scott:** Well, you know, there’s a part of a creator’s mind that always wonders, “What if?” I was fascinated by the idea of infusing something unexpected into a world so heavy with drama and action. But honestly, upon reflection, it felt like a step too far.
**Interviewer:** It certainly would have turned heads! How did you and Nick Cave collaborate on this musical vision?
**Ridley Scott:** Nick is an extraordinarily talented musician and songwriter, and we had some lively discussions. He brought fantastic ideas to the table, but as I looked closer at the narrative involving Maximus trying to kill Jesus, I realized we were courting chaos.
**Interviewer:** It does seem like a risky move. Could you share what ultimately led you to abandon the musical approach?
**Ridley Scott:** I realized that while the initial idea was alluring in its absurdity, it strayed too far from the essence of what *Gladiator* represented. It needed to resonate with the depth and gravitas of the original film, not just be a spectacle.
**Interviewer:** Fast forward to today, what can audiences expect from the sequel that’s releasing soon?
**Ridley Scott:** We’re keeping it grounded, focusing on familial themes and the weight of legacy. Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, brings a fresh perspective—it’s really about the struggles and expectations of living in the light of a legendary parent. Ditching the musical elements allows us to dive deeper into that narrative.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you’ve struck the right balance this time! Any final thoughts on that strange musical lore?
**Ridley Scott:** Just that sometimes, as a creator, you need to entertain the wild ideas to find the true path. I’m grateful for our journey, but I think we’re all happy without tap-dancing gladiators—at least for this sequel!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ridley. We can’t wait to see how *Gladiator 2* unfolds without the choreography!
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And there you have it—a fascinating glimpse into Ridley Scott’s creative process and the shaping of *Gladiator 2*! Keep your seats at the ready for this epic saga, set to reignite our love for the original film this November!
