The 'Gladiator II' Cast on Working with Ridley Scott and Breaking Down the Fight Scenes

Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger sit down with FD correspondent Nikki Novak to talk about their upcoming movie 'Gladiator II'. The cast shared what it was like working with Ridley Scott, broke down a few of the fight scenes we'll see in the film, shared some fun experiences with Pedro Pascal, and so much more! See 'Gladiator II' in theaters November 22. Get tickets now!

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[magagog]

Denzel : ''I'm leaving with somethin', you feel me ''
Leaves with Gold Plated Chariot.
Legend!

[GS-utjp]

this is a fantastic interview. Everyone is comfortable and open and Nikki did a great job with asking every actor good questions about the film and not making anyone feel left out. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview.

[chivonnemccoll]

It’s so refreshing to hear an interviewer hit questions, such as these. Bravo on that.

But I’m glad Fred’s laugh was picked up. It was something I caught from the trailer and was drawn into. It’s like very childlike, playfulness in a way. Just from the clips I’ve seen.

[williamberven-phig]

How brave Connie is to reprise a roll 25 years later and not a cameo but as much or more screen time than G1. I saw G2 and when Connie made her first appearance I was stunned at how lightly she's aged. What a professional.

[benyf]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching Gladiator 2, and it was a beautifully nostalgic experience that exceeded my expectations. The film pays respectful homage to the original while introducing fresh elements that remain true to its tone. It is grand, elegant, sophisticated, and noble—ultimately delivering a deeply satisfying cinematic experience.

Denzel Washington delivered a masterful performance, effortlessly commanding every scene he was in. The new lead was an excellent casting choice; rather than attempting to overshadow the original hero, he brought skill and an endearing innocence to the role, making him instantly likable. While I appreciated the screen time he was given, I found myself wishing for more scenes with Pedro Pascal, whose presence added gravitas to the film.

One slight drawback was the CGI during the sequences with the fighting monkeys, which could have been more polished. Additionally, while the emperors were portrayed well, their goofy moments felt out of place at times—I would have preferred more wit and intellectual depth in their characterization.

On the other hand, the visual splendor was remarkable, with grand set designs and breathtaking cinematography that elevated the film to an epic scale. The princess character was as noble and captivating as we remembered her from the first movie, a testament to both the actress's talent and the script's respect for continuity. The costume design team also delivered magnificently, capturing the richness and authenticity of the era.

In the end, Gladiator 2 is undeniably worth watching, balancing reverence for the original with a confident stride into new territory. Fans of the first film will find much to admire, and newcomers will be swept up in its epic scope.

[wanderingbelle]

I loved this movie!! As a history major and serious nerd when it comes to the history of gladiators, I knew a lot of it was going to be factually inaccurate, but historical fiction (and even “historical fan fiction”) can be done brilliantly, and this is one of those occasions. These kinds of films inspire people to learn more about the real events and time period, and they’re just good craic.

[autumn]

This film has brought out so many of my emotions similar to the black panther film. Denzel is outstanding in this film an oscar worthy nod. he is so believable and convincing. All of the actors done a fantastic job.

[MultiYardy]

Denzel is a giant in Hollywood and he flexes that

[chinmaymohanty]

Connie Nielsen looks so elegantly pretty 😍

[dmfamzo]

2nd time this year!!
First Austin Butler and now Fred Hechinger : Very nice candid people during interviews, then you go watch the movie and see a psychopath!
😂😂😂

[ListenClose-]

Connie is a wonderful narrator. Her command of descriptive English is astonoshing and she just draws you in.

[abdulazees]

Just coming out from the Theatre Denzel was phenomenal in Gladiator gonna win his 3rd Oscars for sure...

[thereseahmad]

Wow! It’s so interesting to have these fabulous actors to sit and discuss the fantastic roles that they play in this epic adventure. Can’t wait to see this movie in theaters

[Brook]

Double closeline of the ship is the perfect Wrestling move.

[jurgenstrohm]

I'm not going to lie. I'm a movie buff, so these interviews are (almost) always interesting to me, but whenever I see that Nikki Novak is the interviewer; I'm more excited to see her than the stars she interviews. She possesses a wonderful energy and her questions are always on point. Plus, forgive me for this, but she is a truly beautiful woman.

[staciestacie]

Flawless ... oh Denzel Washington was Flawless
That screen where he absolutely absorbed the power of the Thrown and he knew it!???? Flawless

[TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Great film! Great journeying back to this time

[donboldon]

I watched it yesterday, it was a great movie.

[Esteequem]

Love watching interviews. Never knew there were style into using sword.

[joependleton]

The ensemble of actors here, are huge, I will look to own this movie. Good luck! With it. 🌎 *