What Era Will It Explore?

Despite my initial hesitation to watch Gladiator 2, as the first film holds a special place in my heart, I eventually gave in. And the movie was solid!
Now, Ridley Scott, the director behind the franchise, has confirmed in a interview that a Gladiator 3 is definitely on the way:

"Given the performance we've seen globally, there will certainly be a Gladiator III." says Ridley!

With Gladiator 2 grossing $320 million so far, with projections pushing it to $450 million, it's no surprise Scott feels confident about another sequel. Despite the film's $350 million production and marketing costs, the strong box office performance is enough to warrant a follow-up, though we'll have to wait and see how the studio reacts, especially if the budgets continue to climb.

It's worth noting that Gladiator 2 is performing well in a competitive marketplace, alongside heavy hitters like Wicked and Moana 2. Given more breathing room, the film may have reached even greater heights.

While the critical reception has been decent (with Gladiator 2 earning a 71% score, just below the original's 80%), audience reviews mirror the first film’s success.

Regarding the plot for Gladiator 3, the second film wrapped up with most of the main characters dead, including Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, Pedro Pascal’s Acacius, and Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. Paul Mescal's Lucius, son of Maximus and Lucilla, survives and could theoretically assume the throne, given his royal bloodline. However, history didn’t unfold this way. The film ends with Lucius killing Macrinus and uniting rival armies, leaving a sense of closure.

Gladiator 2 takes place in 211 AD, but with Ridley Scott's typical approach to historical liberties, the direction of the next film remains unpredictable. The character Macrinus, while briefly ruling in real life, only lasted a year, unlike his portrayal in the film. If Scott chooses to continue the story, it could shift toward the period after Elagabalus’ reign in 235 AD, during the Roman Empire’s “Crisis of the Third Century,” a time of great instability that could serve as a dramatic backdrop.

The fall of the Roman Empire, traditionally marked at 476 AD, would be a major leap forward, and it’s unlikely Scott would cover such a vast period in the next installment. Yet, with Scott at the helm, anything is possible. We'll have to wait and see what direction the next Gladiator film takes.