Why we do or don't need a Gladiator III

It's been a little over a week since Gladiator II premiered in theaters in the United States becoming "the 17th highest-grossing movie of the year so far" according to Screen Rant. The film received positive feedback on Rotten Tomatoes coming in with a 71% on the Tomatometer and an Audience Score of 83%.

Which such success, we were questioning whether or not a Gladiator III is in order. And as much as we enjoyed the Gladiator sequel for all of its flaws and perfections, we have to say no, but perhaps not for the reason you may think.

Gladiator

Let's start with the basics. In 2000's Gladiator, General Maximus has proven himself since childhood to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Although the Emperor's son Commodus desires the throne, his father chooses Maximus (who had a past relationship with Lucilla, Commodus' sister).

As punishment, Maximus, who knew of Aurelius' intentions, is arrested, bound for execution upon the Emperor's death by his own son. Maximus escapes but when he returns home, his wife and son are killed.

He is taken to be a gladiator, fighting his way through several challenges before returning to Rome to seek his revenge against the now Emperor Commodus. In the process Maximus is beloved once more, now as a gladiator.

Maximus' love and fame are so great that when he and Commodus face each other in the Colosseum and both die, the people choose to tend to him before their own Emperor.

Gladiator II

Gladiator II takes place 16 years after Marcus Aurelius' death, where meet Lucius, a married man living in Numidia who must protect the city from the impending Roman army. Led by General Marcus Acacius, Lucius' wife is killed in the battle, and he is taken to be a gladiator.

After surpassing fights, he makes his way to Rome under the ownership of Macrinus, who desires the throne. The throne is now ruled by unstable and crazed brothers Emperor Geta and Caracalla, but Lucius wants specific revenge against Marcus.

Marcus is married to Lucilla, Lucius' mother (who had him with Maximus sometime before they married other people), and the two attempt and fail to remove the twisted emperors. Lucius chooses to forgive Marcus in the Colosseum, however, the emperors have Marcus executed anyway and the city riots over the loss of their beloved General.

Macrinus can now strike, turning Caracalla against Geta, and upon the next games, killing Caracalla himself. Lucius is unable to save his mother from death but thanks to the support of fellow gladiators he's able to face and kill Macrinus, becoming the next heir to the throne.

Our opinion

Although the plot of Gladiator II is far more complex and expanded upon compared to its predecessor, it does end with a thrilling and definitive conclusion. Where Gladiator tells strictly a tale of revenge, driven by the political landscape of Rome, it ends with the hero accomplishing his task, at the cost of his life.

But even in death, he's victorious as he can be reunited with his family in the afterlife for eternity. This was always his goal.

Gladiator II tells a much broader story of revenge with characters who are far from one-dimensional, adding more situations that change motivations. Lucius is the hero, but unlike Maximus, he's not the typical tragic hero as by the end of the film he survives amongst the rest of the core cast with a promising future as Emperor.

His goal of seeking revenge against Marcus is halted when he realizes that is no longer his desire (aside from the fact that Marcus is not as evil as once perceived). So, when that goal becomes nonexistent, he'll need something else to fight for: his mother.

But although she tragically dies, Lucius can still save Rome by stopping Macrinus and becoming the heir. As much as we're curious as to how Lucius will finally uphold Marcus Aurelius' dream of a better Rome, we do not need to see it.

We can imagine the story from here, and all the details that follow. In our imaginations, we can see the changes he'll make and perhaps even find love again like his mother did.

As many tended to argue that the original did not need a sequel, we believe as a sequel the movie exceeded expectations. If Gladiator never existed and those characters were merely used for expositional purposes, Gladiator II would still work as an exciting, compelling, historical drama that, let's face it, we simply need more of in Hollywood.

But if a Gladiator III is even a possibility, it's a bad idea. Trilogies do not have the same staying power as they once did (with some minor exceptions).

It's no secret the movie industry hasn't been doing as well, whether that is due to the fallout from Covid-19 in 2020 or simply because Hollywood seems hellbent on remakes and nothing original. Even Marvel films have been suffering (again with minor exceptions).

I do believe Gladiator II managed to avoid such negativity and still capture the magic that most films have recently lost. I believe people will come to love this film as much as its predecessor.

I also believe this film will be an example for other films in the future. With the right formula of an ideal cast and story, all set in the perfect atmosphere and time, great movies can still be made and enjoyed.