As a cinephile who has had the privilege of witnessing some truly groundbreaking films, I can confidently say that Ridley Scott‘s career is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early masterpieces like Alien and Blade Runner to more recent classics like Gladiator, Scott’s filmography is a testament to his unparalleled vision as a director. However, it seems that the man himself holds his latest offering, Gladiator II, in even higher regard. Now, I’ve seen some bold claims in my time, but this one takes the cake! If Scott says it’s the best thing he’s ever made, then by golly, it must be something truly special.
Ridley Scott is one of the most acclaimed directors working today. Films like Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator are all irreverent cinematic classics, and his filmography is stacked full of hits. But Scott believes his newest movie, the long awaited sequel Gladiator II, is the best work he’s ever done. The movie takes place over a decade after the original Gladiator, and stars Paul Mescal as an older Lucius (originally played by Spencer Treat Clark), who finds himself enslaved and forced to fight in the Roman Colosseum.
Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal recently chatted with Empire Magazine for their latest cover feature on “Gladiator II”. In this interview, Ridley Scott expressed his deep affection for the project, even going so far as to compare it favorably to some of his most iconic cinematic accomplishments. Yet, he swiftly qualified this high praise by acknowledging that when considering the breadth of his filmography, “Gladiator II” still holds a special place among his many movies.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”
For Paul Mescal, the starring role in Gladiator II marks the start of a new chapter in his career. Mescal has been a captivating screen presence since his breakout role in the hit British drama Normal People. Since then, Mescal has gained a reputation for undertaking emotionally devastating roles, appearing in Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun and Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers. Scott described his new action role as being “more muscular and physical” than even his most die-hard fans would expect to see from him. He explained:
“For a long time, I’ve harbored a hidden desire to take on something physically demanding. On a personal level, I wanted to astonish an audience because I felt there was this action-oriented aspect within me. When this opportunity presented itself, I thought, ‘This isn’t the typical role I’ve played before,’ and it was directed by Ridley Scott. We tried to avoid making it overly polished. Instead, we wanted to convey a sense of weariness during the fights, not just quick, sharp blows, but something more brutal, something that shows the exhaustion.”
New Gladiator II Images Show Paul Mescal & Pedro Pascal in Combat
In addition to Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, Rory McCann, Fred Hechinger, and Derek Jacobi, Gladiator II boasts an impressive cast. Unlike the original Gladiator, which was filmed amidst the pulsating action of ancient Rome, production for Gladiator II had to be relocated to a different setting. Ridley Scott and his team constructed massive sets such as the Colosseum and the Emperor’s Palace on the island nation of Malta, which lies off the coast of Sicily. According to Joseph Quinn, this was an extraordinary opportunity to witness the creation of these grand sets firsthand.
Gladiator II
releases in theaters on November 22, 2024.
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2024-08-25 15:31