In the latest issue of Production Weekly, there’s an update on Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator III” which apparently is no longer in “active development,” but has now actually set a 2026 shoot in Malta and Morrocco.
It had already been confirmed that a script was being written for “Gladiator III,” and that Paul Mescal would star in it. Last we heard, Scott had bluntly stated that the film was “certainly happening.” He also brushed off claims that “Gladiator II” wasn’t doing well at the box-office; the sequel’s so far made $370M worldwide on a $250M budget.
The “Gladiator III” news could also mean that Scott’s Bee Gees biopic has been potentially shelved. Scott had previously hinted at studio interference having stalled development on the biopic (“I stepped away”).
For now, Scott’s actual next film is the post-apocalyptic sci-fi “The Dog Stars,” which is now looking for a new lead as Paul Mescal just dropped out of the project due to his commitment with Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies. An early 2025 shoot is still being planned for that film.