Paul Mescal as Hanno in "Gladiator II"
When Ridley Scott’s Gladiator premiered in May 2000, it captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. Over two decades later, Scott returns to the arena with Gladiator II, a long-anticipated sequel that tells a bold new story set 16 years after the original.
The sequel introduces Hanno, a warrior living in North Africa seeking vengeance after his home falls to Roman invaders. The Roman forces are led by the complex General Acacius (Pedro Pascal), under the rule of twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). With its sprawling narrative, Gladiator II promises intense drama, massive battles, and unforgettable characters.
Ridley Scott on set with Pedro Pascal and Mescal
Stepping into Ridley Scott’s World
For Pascal, Hechinger, and Quinn, stepping onto the sets of a Ridley Scott film was a career-defining experience. Known for his grand cinematic vision in films like Alien, Blade Runner, and The Martian, Scott brought his meticulous approach to Gladiator II, filming in epic locations such as Malta and Morocco and reconstructing the Roman Colosseum.
Pascal, a veteran of blockbuster productions like Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian, was awestruck by the scale of the project. “Being on the set of a Ridley Scott film is unlike any movie experience I've ever had,” he shared. “Ridley insists that all the pieces be in place,” as the director often shoots with multiple cameras simultaneously.
Pascal's General Acacius and Joseph Quinn's Emperor Geta face-off
Hechinger, known for his breakout role in The White Lotus, echoed this sentiment. “[Ridley’s sets feel] so immersive.” Every take feels monumental because he shoots it from every possible angle. “It’s like you’re a part of this enormous event,” he said. One particularly unforgettable sequence involved a naval battle staged in a water-filled Colosseum complete with sharks, and gladiators battling a rhinoceros.
For Quinn, who gained fame as Eddie in Stranger Things, Scott’s style brought unparalleled intensity, as if there’s an urgency on his sets that makes every moment feel vital. “It’s unlike any other filmmaking experience [I’ve had],” he reflected.
Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla
Crafting Their Characters
As antagonists in the Gladiator universe, Hechinger and Quinn faced the challenge of following Joaquin Phoenix’s iconic turn as Commodus. In Gladiator II, their characters – twin emperors Geta and Caracalla – struggle to command respect in a crumbling Rome. “Rome isn’t so hot on these guys,” Hechinger joked. “[But[ they [see themselves] as rock stars,” added Quinn.
The duo consciously avoided mimicking Phoenix’s performance, focusing instead on their unique roles in the story, wanting to respect the legacy of Gladiator while crafting something distinctly their own.
Meanwhile, Pascal approached his role as General Acacius by immersing himself in Ridley Scott’s body of work rather than Roman history. “I [wanted to become] the best instrument for Ridley to play,” he laughed, likening himself to a clarinet in Scott’s cinematic symphony.
Mescal and Pascal square off in one of the film's many fight scenes
An Ensemble for the Ages
At the heart of Gladiator II is Paul Mescal, fresh off his Oscar-nominated performance in Aftersun. As Hanno, Mescal shares a charged relationship with Pascal’s Acacius. “It couldn't have felt more safe and strangely dangerous to have an immediate connection with an actor,” Pascal recalled.
The cast also includes Connie Nielsen, reprising her role as Lucilla, and Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a former slave turned gladiator owner with aspirations to reshape the Roman Empire. “I was owned. Now I will control an empire,” declares Washington’s character in a line that encapsulates the film’s themes of power and defiance.
A naval battle takes place inside the Colosseum
A Cinematic Spectacle
With breathtaking visuals, intricate costumes, and epic set pieces, the cast believes Gladiator II is a film that demands to be experienced in theaters. “It’s an event,” said Hechinger about the film, proclaiming that it’s designed to be shared with an audience, where you can feel the collective energy as the story unfolds.
Pascal echoed this, drawing a parallel to Maximus’s famous line from the original film: “Are you not entertained?” He assured fans that Gladiator II would deliver spectacle, emotion, and everything they could hope for in a cinematic epic.
"Gladiator II" opens in Philippine theaters on December 4, 2024.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Photo Credits: Paramount Pictures