Ridley Scott believes ‘Gladiator 2’ is “the best thing I’ve ever made”
As he continues to promote the much-anticipated historical epic, Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott has made a bold claim regarding the Paul Mescal-starring sequel.
Gladiator 2 is the sequel to 2000’s iconic Oscar-winning Gladiator, the movie that made Russell Crowe a household name. Directed and co-produced by Scott, who helmed the first film, the new chapter is written by David Scarpa from a story he penned with Peter Craig. It features an all-star cast of Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
Unlike many contemporary sequels to older films, Gladiator 2 does have a tangible connection to the original. Not only does it see Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprise their roles, but it follows the story of Lucius. He is the son of Nielsen’s Lucilla – the child in the first film – who we now find as a former heir to the Roman Empire. He becomes a gladiator when the Roman army invades his home.
Given that Gladiator is such a well-beloved film and is regarded as one of Scott’s masterpieces, fans have been awaiting the sequel with some trepidation that it might blemish its revered legacy.
Furthermore, Far Out’s Scott Campbell recently wrote that the director’s somewhat disappointing track record since the original, with the likes of Robin Hood, Exodus: Gods and Kings, and most recently, Napoleon, might suggest the sequel fails to meet expextations. That being said, 2021’s The Last Duel was a return to form, and eschews his recent trend.
Despite the fears of fans, Scott is fully confident in Gladiator 2. In an interview with Empire, he claimed it’s “the best thing I’ve ever made”, before retracting his statement and clarifying that it is one of the best things he’s ever produced, as there are several highlights in his oeuvre. Offering more insight into the style of the historical drama, he added: “It’s full-bore, brutal action”.
Elsewhere, during a previous conversation with the same publication, the director revealed, “We begin the film with probably the biggest action sequence I’ve ever done.” He added: “Probably bigger than anything in Napoleon.”
In that previous chat, Scott also detailed why he believes technology is a necessary tool in the continued evolution of cinema, stating that filmmakers have to embrace computerisation and AI. He’s made it clear he is open-minded to using technology and that it was vital in bringing Gladiator 2 to life.
Gladiator 2 is set for a UK theatrical release on November 15th, and arrives on November 22nd in the US.
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