# Do We Really Need A "Gladiator 2"? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 1, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371 "2002-10-01T06:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flertbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e5b9ba/32.png) [@flertbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flertbert)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/1 "2002-10-01T06:55:20Z")
Apparently, someone thinks we [do](http://startrek.com/news/news.asp?ID=125694). WTF? The first film was a kick-ass movie, not historically accurate, but a fine romp of a film. Now, Hollywood wants to ruin it by making a sequel. Why? Three of the principle characters are dead by the end of the first film and the gladitorial combats are supposed to be ended, which pretty much makes a sequel pointless. Unless the film’s directed by Ridley Scott and/or features full-frontal nudity of [Connie Nielsen](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Nielsen,%20Connie%20(I)), don’t expect to find **me** in the theater for this non-blockbuster of a flick. (Note to mods, link is to [imdb.com](http://imdb.com) page on Ms. Nielsen and not a porn site.) Stupid greedy fuckers. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/2 "2002-10-01T07:08:11Z")
Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? ---
**Author:** ![flertbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e5b9ba/32.png) [@flertbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flertbert)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/3 "2002-10-01T07:26:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? \*\* _ **Several** _??? I only knew of one! They’re not just greedy fucking bastards, they’re sheep pimps! ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/4 "2002-10-01T07:50:57Z")
Russell Crowe: “On my signal, unleash hell … um, again. You know, same kind of hell we unleased the last time.” His Flunky: “Same signal?” Russell Crowe: “Yep.” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/5 "2002-10-01T09:43:40Z")
Fall 2003: _Absolutely the Last Temptation of Christ_ ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/6 "2002-10-01T11:11:43Z")
On the other hand, in part II we will get to see Pertinax’s head paraded around on a pike. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/7 "2002-10-01T14:28:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? \*\* Well FTR the second movie was actaully the second half of the book. Maybe not as good as the first movie but there was a point to it. Now why they ever made a third I’ll never know. Though the Rock Biter singing Born to Be Wild was pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/8 "2002-10-01T14:42:38Z")
Gladiator 2: _Gladiat **est** _ It made money. For Hollywood, that’s reason enough. You seem to think there’s some kind of art going on here. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/9 "2002-10-01T15:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? \*\* Anybody else read this in a smooth, suave movie-trailer baritone? **SPOOFE** ’s nailed the promotional advertising! ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/10 "2002-10-01T15:30:03Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Legomancer \* > **Gladiator 2: \*Gladiat** est_\*\* > It made money. For Hollywood, that’s reason enough. You seem to think there’s some kind of art going on here. \*\* Do not forget _Highlander II: The Abomination_. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/11 "2002-10-01T15:36:51Z")
If you made a sequel to _Gladiator_, would it be better to try and have some connection to history, or just go off in a completely different direction in the movie’s alternate-universe version of Rome? They restore the Republic, Connie Nielsen takes a bath in sheep’s milk, they invent hot-air balloons, then dinosaurs invade the city under the control of time-travelling robots which must be defeated by gladiators. Sounds good! ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/12 "2002-10-01T15:40:46Z")
“People once believed that when a movie died, a studio would carry its soul to the land of the dead. But when there was great profit, most of the time–only most of the time–that studio would bring that movie back.” ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/13 "2002-10-01T15:42:00Z")
Hopefully, Russell Crowe’s gladiator is going to be some kind of undead zombie in this movie, returning from the grave to wreak vengenace on those who killed his family. “Yeah, yeah, unleash hell. But first, MORE BRAINS!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/14 "2002-10-01T17:46:31Z")
You know, the problem I have with a sequel to this film is there’s _absolutely no way_ to historically justify a series of gigantic gasoline explosions. I hope that Hollywood’s fine writers will find a way to rectify the situation. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/15 "2002-10-01T18:14:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? \*\* Well, with a title like that, there would have to be, wouldn’t there? Also, I swear I saw Jack Black in one of the sequals. I heard that Maximus was frozen and then brought back to life in the future, where he will fight robot ninjas for control over Hitlers brain. ---
**Author:** ![benson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@benson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benson)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/16 "2002-10-01T18:17:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Well, in a world that requires several sequels to _The Neverending Story_… why the hell not? \*\* Well, it _is_ called the **Neverending** Story. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/17 "2002-10-01T18:22:13Z")
Gladiator 2: Don’t get mad, get Gladiator! ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/18 "2002-10-01T20:21:53Z")
Gladiator 2: The wrath of Jesus ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/19 "2002-10-01T20:39:03Z")
And don’t forget the popular spinoff sitcom: “Oh Maxy!” premiering on the WB next season. _Maximus stands in front of the toaster in the kitchen_ MAXIMUS: On my signal, Unleash Pop-Tarts! _He gives the signal. Nothing Happens_ MAXIMUS: Unleash, damn you! Unleash! _He brandishes his sword at it. His beautiful wife, BETSY, walks in._ BETSY: Oh, honey. More trouble with the toaster? MAXIMUS: I demand Fruit-filling satisfaction! I have pillaged cities for less! The seas will run red with the blood of General Electric’s employees! BETSY: Here’s the problem, honey…_She plugs in the toaster. The Pop Tart pops up._ MAXIMUS: It is the work of the Devil! But oh, so good! BETSY: Oh, Maxy! ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371/20 "2002-10-01T20:48:22Z")
OOOOO Baldwin! I want to see your version! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-a-gladiator-2/130371.md?page=2)