Movie Man: Gladiator 2

News 9's Movie Man Dino Lalli is giving audiences a sneak peek of Gladiator 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the original Oscar-winning epic.

The first Gladiator won five Academy Awards and left an indelible mark on cinema. Its sweeping narrative and grand scale redefined the historical epic genre. Now, director Ridley Scott is set to revisit the world of ancient Rome.

"It's been 25 years since Gladiator 1," said Scott. "It's an assignment coming back to the Roman Empire."

The story picks up two decades after the events of the original film. It focuses on Lucius, who was sent away from Rome as a child for his safety. The sequel follows his return to Rome as an adult—but as a prisoner.

Paul Mescal, who stars in the film, acknowledged the legacy he and the cast are stepping into. "The first Gladiator had a huge impact across the world," Mescal said. "It was not lost on me what we as a cast of actors and Ridley are stripping into."

Scott and the team have developed a story that taps into timeless themes. "The story they came up with was brilliant; it speaks to a deep human experience," Mescal added. "At the start of the film, Rome has been through 20 years of upheaval with the madness of power-hungry people who can buy the throne."

The cast, including Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielsen, praised the ambitious production.

"Everything that goes into creating this world is incomparable," said Pascal. "It’s grand in scope with sophisticated characters and storytelling. It’s all the things that fill in the word epic."

Washington echoed the scale of the project. "This is the biggest film I've been on, it's huge," he said.

The authenticity of the film, from flooding the Colosseum to featuring wild animals, amazed even seasoned cast members.

"All of the things you see in this film—flooding the Colosseum, wild animals—it's recorded that all of these things happened," Nielsen said.

The production is as visually stunning as it is narratively compelling, with intricate costumes and expansive sets.

"To walk about in that arena for the second time was pretty amazing," Nielsen added.

With thousands of extras and an epic scale, Gladiator 2 promises to deliver a cinematic experience that rivals its predecessor.