‘Gladiator II’ Stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen Heap Praise on Director Ridley Scott: ‘He Built Rome’

As a movie buff with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Ridley Scott is a cinematic titan whose influence on the industry is undeniable. The post-screening Q&A for “Gladiator II” was a testament to this fact, with stars like Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger all singing Scott’s praises.

Ridley Scott may not have been present for the first major screening of “Gladiator II” on Friday night on the Paramount lot in Los Angeles, but the 86-year-old director was the favorite topic of conversation for stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Fred Hechinger in the post-screening Q&A.

In the movie “Gladiator” released in 2000, Mescal (the actor who portrays Lucius Virus, Russell Crowe’s grown son) expressed admiration for Scott’s skill in filming the complex opening battle scene. This scene featured Pedro Pascal as a Roman general commanding a naval invasion of a North African coastal city.

The actor stated, “We filmed it across approximately nine days.” He added, “I’m not aware of any other director who could manage that.

Mescal was, understandably, nervous before the first shot.

He shared that he was puffing on a cigarette while we were strolling around, and then Ridley walked in with a cigar, settling down. He recalled feeling incredibly nervous, to which Ridley asked, “Are you tense?

As I hesitated, unsure of what to say next, Scott chimed in, “‘Your calmness doesn’t matter to me,'” he said, signaling for the cameras to start rolling.

When Jackie Coley, our moderator, enquired from Washington why he decided to be part of the movie, his reply was straightforward and clear.

“It’s Ridley,” he said. “It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s: ‘Yes.’”

As a cinephile captivated by the grandeur of historical epics, I was simply astounded by Ridley Scott’s painstaking work in 2007’s “American Gladiator,” where he breathed life into the opulence and corruption of the final days of ancient Rome.

Washington remarked, “He constructed Rome, leaving us with merely the task of donning our attire and engaging in conversation.” He saw it as a game, something enjoyable. Just slip into the costume and take part. That was my perspective. Essentially, I’m saying, I’ll wear this gown, these jewels, and I’ll go all out.

In the sequel, Nielsen (who portrays Lucius’ mother Lucilla) was the sole cast member returning from the original film. This unique position allowed her to observe potential differences in Scott’s directing style for the follow-up. She expressed that what might have required three hours to establish 25 years ago now took just 20 minutes. Remarkably, this rapid pace was maintained even with a large cast of 3,000 extras, complex props, and intricate setups. The team was amazed by how swiftly they were progressing.

Besides enjoying the intricate task, Hechinger took pleasure in selecting an appropriate image for his character, Emperor Caracalla. Notably decadent, this emperor, along with his brother and fellow Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn), is accentuated by an obsessive devotion towards a pet monkey.

He described his character as “gold tarnished by decay – it has an allure, but there’s genuine corruption within it.” Over time, the development of this character was gradual, yet certain elements, such as the monkey, were well-established and impressive from the start.

Due to overwhelming enthusiasm for the movie, organizers had to add a second theater to accommodate everyone, and they even broadcasted the Q&A session remotely. Notable attendees, such as co-CEO Brian Robbins, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Tony Revolori, Debbie Allen, Rebel Wilson, Bill Pullman, Casey Affleck, and Patrick Stewart, were present. After the event, they all mingled with Mescal and Nielsen during a reception on the lawn.

In his debut as a main character in a big-studio movie, Mescal appeared noticeably daunted by the weight of public interest. At the conclusion of the Q&A, he spoke with palpable emotion, remarking, “I believe this film carries the legacy of the original with great reverence and respect.” He continued, “It’s crafted by the only individual capable of handling it – Ridley Scott. As his friend and long-standing admirer, I consider it one of his most impressive works that I’ve recently witnessed.

Angelique Jackson contributed to this story.

2024-10-20 05:46

‘Gladiator II’ Stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen Heap Praise on Director Ridley Scott: ‘He Built Rome’

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