Denzel Washington is saying Ridley Scott made it easy to get into his 'Gladiator II' role. The legendary actor joined the 'Gladiator' sequel cast at an early screening of the film over the weekend. During the Q&A portion, the actor who plays a wealthy arms dealer and former gladiator who plots to control Rome, joked to the audience, "He's misunderstood. He's a nice fellow" before adding that his character is, "in bed with the devil."
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00:00I own you now, but whose head could I give you to satisfy your fury?"
00:06Denzel Washington is saying Ridley Scott made it easy to get into his Gladiator 2 role.
00:11The legendary actor joined the Gladiator sequel cast at an early screening of the film over the
00:16weekend. During the Q&A portion, the actor, who plays a wealthy arms dealer and former Gladiator
00:21who plots to control Rome, joked to the audience, he's misunderstood, he's a nice fellow, before
00:26adding that his character is quote, in bed with the devil. Washington also explained that Scott
00:30made their work easy by building life-size sets as they shot in Malta. When you would walk around,
00:35you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play,
00:40it was fun. Just put the gear on, put the dress on and go. That's the way I look at it.
00:45I'm putting this dress on, these rings, and I'm going crazy.
00:48It will clear my path to the throne. You will be my instrument. I will never be your instrument.
00:54The film sees Paul Meskel playing Lucius, a nephew of Emperor Commodus from the original
00:59film played by Joaquin Phoenix. Lucius returns to Rome after being forced into slavery to battle not
01:05as a ruler, but as a gladiator out for revenge and power, seeking to return the glory of Rome
01:10to its people. The Normal People star told a story about how on the first day of shooting,
01:14he was sitting in the production tent when Scott came in with a cigar.
01:18I was absolutely shitting myself. And he looks at me, he goes, you nervous? And I didn't know
01:22what the appropriate answer was. So I was like, eh, he's like, your nerves are no good to me.
01:27Marches out, cameras are turning over. Meskel noted that the sequel, coming 24 years after
01:32the original, wears the legacy of the first film with intense pride and honor. But I think it takes
01:37it in a direction that drives that honor and respect through the roof. Lucius, take your
01:42father's strength. His name was Maximus. And I see him in you. For more on this story, head to
01:50THR.com. And for the latest entertainment news and updates,
01:53keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.