Denzel Washington joined Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger for an early screening of the sequel on Friday night.
At a special screening on Friday at the Paramount lot, Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger gave a sneak peek of their new movie and shared what it was like working on Ridley Scott’s sequel.
In the film, Mescal plays a grown-up Lucius Verus II, the nephew of Emperor Commodus from the original movie, who was played by Joaquin Phoenix. After being forced into slavery, Lucius returns to Rome, not as a ruler, but as a gladiator seeking revenge and power, aiming to restore Rome’s glory to its people.
Advertisement I think Lucius was a new challenge for me. He’s someone who takes charge for most of the two-and-a-half hours, I hadn’t done that kind of role before, but it felt like something inside me that people haven’t seen yet.
Mescal said about playing the lead role.
Washington also plays a big role in the movie as Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer and former gladiator who plans to take control of Rome. During the Q&A, Washington joked, “He’s misunderstood. He’s a nice guy.”
He tries to use everyone—his own mother, his kids—he’s already lost his soul, so there’s nothing left. He’s in league with the devil, When you walked around, it felt like you were in Rome, with thousands of extras and horses. It was all make-believe, like playing a game. You just put on the gear, the outfit, and go for it. That’s how I saw it. I put on the costume, the rings, and just went wild.
Washington praised Ridley Scott’s sets.
Mescal talked about the physical and emotional changes he went through for his role, joking,
At first, I had this silly idea that I’d play a gladiator who just looks normal.
I always imagined him like a dog, someone who fights to survive. For most of the movie, he doesn’t even care if he lives or dies.
Later, he realized,
The Normal People star shared a funny story from the first day of filming. He was sitting in the production tent when Ridley Scott walked in with a cigar.
I was super nervous, and he looked at me and asked, ‘You nervous?’ I didn’t know how to respond, so I just said, ‘Uh.’ Then he said, ‘Your nerves are no good to me.’ He walked out, and the cameras started rolling,
Mescal recalled, making the audience laugh.
See More: Ridley Scott Reveals He Has Begun Writing ‘Gladiator 3’: “I’ve Got 8 Pages”
To wrap up the conversation, Mescal said the sequel, coming 24 years after the original, “carries the legacy of the first film with great pride and respect, but takes it to a whole new level.”
I believe only Ridley Scott could have made this movie, and as his friend and long-time fan, I think it’s some of his best work in recent years. I’m extremely proud of his work, my work, and everyone involved. No one can take that away from us.
He added,
Source: Hollywood Reporter