Mythosis

Gladiator II poster copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures

Gladiator 2

An attempt to serve two stories as one

ESTIMATED domestic box office revenue

$141 – 206MM

Mythosis universal quests used

4

Audience appeal

3.59% – 5.39%               

Hidden Potential

$750 – 800MM

Directed by Ridley Scott, the sequel to the successful movie Gladiator focusses on a disillusioned general, a power-hungry slave, and the rightful heir.  The movie explores human desires of vengeance, idealism and power. Gladiator II’s plot structure drawn from four mythological tales indicates a single powerful quest and an inconsistent quest of the protagonist.

Gladiator II poster copyright belongs to Paramount Pictures

1. The invisible plot structure of Gladiator 2

1A. The script of Gladiator 2 borrows 94% of its events from 4 mythological tales

Acacius’ quest is driven by the desire for justice and fairness. The quest borrows events from Prometheus’ tale in Greek mythology. Both Prometheus and Acacius, disillusioned by their master rebel against them.

Lucius’ quest is driven by the desire to punish offenders. The quest borrows events from Dron’s tale in Hindu mythology. Both Dron & Lucius set out to avenge their humiliation.

Lucius is also driven by the desire for idealism. His quest borrows events from Krishn’s tale in Hindu mythology. Krishn and Lucius escape from captivity to overthrow a tyrannical ruler.

Macrinus’ quest is driven by the desire to dominate others. The quest borrows events from Circe’s tale in Greek mythology. Both Circe and Macrinus create a façade of godliness to lure unsuspecting victims and seize control.

Geta & Caracalla have an underdeveloped quest of Power. Lucilla has a non-existent quest.

NOTE: Detailed mirroring of each character’s primary quest to their respective mythological tales is in section “3A. Quests of characters in Gladiator 2 and their mythological counterparts”

Mythosis plot structures

#12,143
#601

Tales interweaved

Prometheus, Dron & Ravan
Circe & Krishn

I. How does interweaving mythological tales lead to infinite story plots?
II. Can the pursuit of a Desire have more than one quest?

2. The potential of Gladiator 2’s plot structure: $141 – 206MM

The interweaving of 32 mythological tales can generate a billion unique stories. By using these 32 tales, we can extract the plot structure of any story across various genres. Our study of blockbuster, hit, and flop plot structures led to the discovery of the Mythosis Code, a set of principles for creating compelling stories. The plot structure of a story is analyzed to see how well it adheres to these storytelling principles.

2A. Plot structure evaluation of Gladiator 2

An example of interweaving the quests of Lucius & Acacius:

The script of Gladiator II interweaves the tales of Dron & Prometheus

2B. Box office revenue estimation of Gladiator 2

Gladiator 2 successfully builds only one character, Macrinus. The inconsistency of Lucius’ desire weakens his quest as well as creates gaps in the plot structure. Acacius remains as a marginal character.

The Script Score measures a plot structure’s  adherence to the four principles of Mythosis Code. We use the Script Score to estimate a movie’s audience appeal & revenues. Blockbuster plot structures have a score of at least 0.64 and appeal to 20% of the audiences.

Script Score

0.12

Audience appeal

3.59% - 5.39%

I. How is Mythosis Code used to estimate revenues?
II. Aren’t box-office revenues influenced by several factors beyond just the story plot?

3. The ideal plot structure of Gladiator 2

We have identified 32 mythological tales, the superset of all tales across cultures. The quests of these tales have also recurred over time periods. They represent human behaviours that are deeply embedded in our shared memories. Each tale is the richest expression of the pursuit of a human desire. The tales have a unique pattern of events spread over 5 major arcs.

Mapping a character’s quest to the relevant mythological tale reveals the gaps in their quest, if any. Plugging these gaps with the missing events deepens the character quest. The missing events also provide an opportunity for interweaving the various quests. These events strengthen the story and unlock its hidden potential.

3A.Quest of characters in Gladiator 2 and their mythological counterparts​

Quest 1: Acacius mirrors the universal quest for Idealism

Acacius’ desire for Idealism stems from the need for fairness & justice. The tale of Prometheus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Idealism.

Quest 2: Lucius mirrors the universal quest for Vengeance

Lucius’ desire for Vengeance stems from the need to confront & punish offenders. The tale of Dron from Hindu mythology is the universal quest for Vengeance.

Quest 3: Macrinus mirrors the universal quest for Power

Macrinus’ desire for Power stems from the need to dominate others. The tale of Circe from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Power.

Gladiator 2 merges two stories. The plot structure is split by multiple quests of Lucius – Lucius’ fight against Acacius for avenging his wife and against Macrinus for safeguarding Rome. The quests of all three characters doesn’t mirror enough events from their respective mythological tales leaving them shallow.

Mythosis has found two plot structures that can enhance the script of Gladiator II. The first one deepens the quests of Lucius, Acacius & The Emperor. The second plot structure interweaves the quests of Macrinus, Acacius & Lucius.

a. Mythosis plot structure #12,143 interweaves the universal quests of Vengeance, Idealism & Power.

    • A unique story that combines the mythological tales of Dron, Prometheus & Ravan.
    • It begins with Acacius witnessing the “spirit of Rome” in Numidia and his refusal to annexe it.
    • The story uses events from 4 arcs of Dron’s tale & 3 arcs of Prometheus and Ravan’s tale.

 

b. Mythosis plot structure #18,105 interweaves the universal quests of Power, fulfilled and unfulfilled quests of Idealism.

    • A unique story that combines the mythological tales of Circe, Prometheus & Krishn.
    • It begins with Macrinus becoming a despot after incarcerating Lucilla & Lucius.
    • The story uses events from 3 arcs of Krishn & Circe and 4 arcs of Prometheus.

Two Mythosis plot structures  #12,143 & 18,105 can enhance current revenues by 5x!

Tags: Circe, Power, Dron, Vengeance, Prometheus, Idealism, Ridley Scott, David Scarpa, Peter Craig, Scott Free Productions, Paramount Pictures, 2024

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