Ridley Scott says there won’t be an extended director’s cut for Gladiator II.
Gladiator II will be released in United States theaters later this month. A sequel to 2000’s Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, the new movie’s cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and more.
Why won’t there be an extended director’s cut for Gladiator II?
Given that he has released director’s cuts for a number of his previous movies, the most recent being 2023’s Napoleon, Scott was recently asked by Collider if there will be a longer cut of Gladiator II available for fans to see at some point in the future.
“No, I’ve earned the right to have my final cut,” Scott answered. I have the final cut anyway, so my cut that goes out usually is my fault. It is my cut. I’ll go around in circles. I won’t agonize because I cut during the film. I don’t get to the end and then start the cut — God knows that would take too long. I cut as I’m going, and I think it’s valid to cut as you’re going because you need to see how you’re doing and how everyone’s performing.”
Gladiator II has a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes, which makes it approximately seven minutes shorter than the first film.
The script for Gladiator II was written by David Scarpa. Along with Mescal, Pascal, and Washington, the sequel stars Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Derek Jacobi.
“From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome,” the synopsis for the movie reads. “Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”
Gladiator II releases in United States theaters on November 22, 2024.