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.
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