Director Ridley Scott has officially confirmed that 'Gladiator III' is in development, following the successful release of 'Gladiator II', which opened with an impressive $87 million at the box office on November 22, 2024. The sequel features Paul Mescal in the role of Lucius, the son of Maximus, and Denzel Washington, who has garnered Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Macrinus. Scott noted that the financial success of 'Gladiator II' and its open plotlines justify the creation of a sequel. He highlighted that the themes of power and politics explored in 'Gladiator II' resonate with current global issues, making the story relevant for contemporary audiences. At 86 years old, Scott continues to direct films annually, showcasing his enduring passion for filmmaking. [91de7f50]
In addition to the 'Gladiator' franchise, George Miller, the creator of 'Mad Max', has expressed his hope to see Hideo Kojima create a Mad Max game. In a recent interview, Miller reflected on the 2015 'Mad Max' game developed by Avalanche Software, stating that it did not meet his expectations. He praised Kojima's work and mentioned that he had discussed the possibility of a collaboration with him. However, Miller acknowledged that Kojima is currently busy with multiple projects, making the likelihood of this collaboration slim. Kojima Productions is working on 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach', a project with Microsoft, and another project with Sony, which further complicates the potential for a Mad Max game under his direction. [def41c1a]
Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve, the director of 'Dune: Part Two', has revealed plans for a third film in the 'Dune' franchise. The sequel has already become the highest-grossing film of 2024, earning over $630 million globally. Villeneuve is currently in talks with Legendary to adapt Annie Jacobsen's book 'Dune: A Scenario' for the big screen, while the script for 'Dune Messiah', the sequel to 'Dune: Part Two', is also in progress. Fans can anticipate more epic sci-fi adventures as Villeneuve aims to continue the story with a third installment. [83cf3ef9]
Francis Ford Coppola is set to release his new film 'Megalopolis' at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, marking his return to directing after a 13-year hiatus. The film, which has a budget of $120 million, features a star-studded cast and explores themes inspired by the September 11 attacks and ancient Roman conspiracy. Test audiences have had mixed reactions, indicating that the film is likely to generate significant discussion at the festival. [df119837]