As a film enthusiast with a passion for historical epics and a soft spot for sequels that live up to their predecessors, I am genuinely thrilled about the upcoming release of Gladiator II. The opportunity to witness Paul Mescal’s transformation into Lucius Verus II, a character that seems to embody a raw energy I haven’t seen him portray before, is nothing short of intriguing. His tales of the set, particularly his encounter with Ridley Scott on the first day of shooting, only add to the anticipation.
On a unique movie set visit at Paramount Studios on Friday, the cast of Gladiator II, including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger, unveiled sneak peeks of their upcoming project and shared insights about their journey while filming Ridley Scott’s continuation.
The movie features Mescal in the role of an adult Lucius Verus II, who is the nephew of the emperor Commodus from the initial film portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. After being subjected to slavery, Lucius comes back to Rome and instead of ruling, he takes up the role of a gladiator. His objective is twofold: revenge against those who wronged him and the acquisition of power, all while aiming to restore the grandeur of Rome to its inhabitants.
Mescal described playing Lucius as a new experience for him, stating he felt like someone who was very confident throughout the two-and-a-half hour performance. Prior to this role, he hadn’t had the chance to be that assertive, and it seems that aspect has been hidden within him, showcasing something fresh and more dynamic than what people are accustomed to.
Washington plays an important role in the movie as Macrinus, a once-gladiator turned wealthy arms dealer with ambitious plans for controlling Rome. Amidst the Q&A session, he playfully commented, “People often get him wrong. He’s actually quite friendly.
“He’s trying to use everybody. He’d use his mother, he’d use his own children; he’s already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. He’s in bed with the devil,” Washington continued, explaining that Scott made their work easy by building life-size sets as they shot in Malta. “When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play, it was fun; just put the gear on, put the dress on and go, that’s the way I look at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings and I’m going crazy.”
In discussing his role, Mescal mentioned the dual nature of his character’s transformation – both physical and emotional. He initially had an unassuming thought that he might simply portray a normal-looking gladiator. However, as the process unfolded, he came to view his character more like a determined survivalist, resembling a dog who would fight tooth and nail to stay alive. For much of the film, this character seems indifferent about living or dying.
In a fun anecdote, the actor from “Normal People” shared an incident that happened on the first day of filming. He was in the production tent when Scott entered, holding a cigar. The actor admitted he was terrified and responded with a casual ‘eh’ when asked if he was nervous by Scott. Scott then said, “Your nerves are no good to me,” and left, just as cameras began rolling.
In conclusion, Mescal mentioned that the upcoming sequel carries the legacy of the initial movie with great reverence and dignity. However, he believes it pushes that reverence and respect to even greater heights.
The actor stated, ‘I believe it was crafted by the one individual who could handle it, in Ridley Scott. As a friend and longtime fan of his, I consider it among his most remarkable creations I’ve witnessed lately.’ He continued, ‘I am incredibly proud of his work, mine, and everyone here, as well as those not present. I don’t think anyone can deny us the credit for this.’
Gladiator II hits theaters on Nov. 22.
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2024-10-19 17:55