30/13
In the years since the first film’s release, many attempts have been made to write a sequel
Narrative
After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome, Lucius is forced into the Colosseum and must look to his past to find the strength to restore Rome to its glory for his people.
Musician Nick Cave was asked to pen one version by Russell Crowe and Sir Ridley Scott
His version focused on the more mythical elements of ancient Rome and would have seen Maximus arrive in the afterlife, only to be confronted by other souls who have yet to ascend.
He is eventually tasked by Jupiter and other Roman deities to return to Earth to find and kill Hephaestus, an ancient deity who betrayed them
From there, he is resurrected as a Christian and finds himself on a journey back to Rome, tasked with preventing the spread of Christianity, while crossing paths with the new emperor, Lucius.
The studio decided not to pursue this version, but the script is available to read online
The film was supposed to end with Maximus condemned to live forever, with a montage of the soldier fighting in the Crusades, World War II, and the Vietnam War, eventually revealing a modern Maximus working at the Pentagon in Washington.
Emperor Geta: The Gods Have SPOKEN!
Featured in The 7PM Project: Episode dated July 3, 2024 (2024)