Ridley Scottis one of the most acclaimed directors working today. Films likeAlien,Blade Runner, andGladiatorare all irreverent cinematic classics, and his filmography is stacked full of hits. But Scott believes his newest movie, the long awaited sequelGladiator II, is the best work he’s ever done. The movie takes place over a decade after the originalGladiator, 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 spoke withEmpire Magazinefor their newest cover story aboutGladiator II. During the conversation, Ridley Scott revealed that he adores his latest directorial work. Even compared to Scott’s monolithic cinematic achievements, the director has a very high opinion of howGladiator IIstacks up alongside his huge catalog of movies. However, quickly after bestowingGladiator IIwith the best compliment he could give, Scott added a small amendment when considering the scope of his filmography. The director said:
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns.”
Gladiator II
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
For Paul Mescal, the starring role inGladiator IImarks the start of a new chapter in his career. Mescal has been a captivating screen presence since his breakout role in thehit British dramaNormal People.Since then, Mescal has gained a reputation for undertaking emotionally devastating roles, appearing in Charlotte Wells’Aftersunand Andrew Haigh’sAll 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:
“I had always had a kind of latent ambition to do something that was more muscular and physical. From a selfish side of things, I wanted to surprise an audience, because I knew that I have this kind of role within me. When this came up, I was like, ‘This is something that I don’t think anybody who’s seen the work that I’ve done previously will be expecting,’ and it’s Ridley Scott. We made an attempt to not feel slick. You’re feeling like their bodies are slowing down as they’re fighting. It’s not like ting-ting-ting! It’s more brutal. You’re feeling the fatigue.”
New Gladiator II Images Show Paul Mescal & Pedro Pascal in Combat
As well as interviews with Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal,Empire’s story also comes with exclusive new images ofGladiator II. Alongside Mescal, the sequel also stars Pedro Pascal as the Roman general Marcus Acacius. The first trailer teased a grueling face off between Lucius and Acacius, and the new images highlight the exhausting and “muscular” nature of the fights.Check out the new images below:
Ridley Scott’s First Interaction with Gladiator 2 Star Literally Slapped the Nerves Out of Him
Paul Mescal describes the memorable interaction he had with Ridley Scott during his first day on Gladiator 2.
Gladiator IIalso stars Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, Rory McCann, Fred Hechinger, and Derek Jacobi. While the firstGladiatorshot its intense action in the heart of Rome,Gladiator IIhad to move production to a different location.Ridley Scott and his crew built gigantic sets, including the Colosseum and the Emperor’s Palace on the island nation of Malta, off the coast of Sicily, which Joseph Quinn described as “a once in a lifetime thing to bear witness to.”
Gladiator IIreleases in theaters on June 03, 2025.
