SPOILER ALERT: This story discusses major plot points, including the ending for “Gladiator II,” currently playing in theaters. All hail Macrinus! In a world of political backstabbing, power and ambition, Denzel Washington’s Macrinus enters the arena in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” with troops and guards under a canopy. He reeks of wealth and oozes power. The […]

Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is full of a memorable action scenes, from a bloody showdown featuring CGI baboons to Paul Mescal outsmarting a charging rhino in the Roman Colosseum. But one sequence that is sure to leave audiences with the most questions is a rather insane set piece in which the Colosseum is filled with […]

For a brief period, over 1982-86, the U.K. enjoyed a remarkable film renaissance. Four films – “Chariots of Fire,” (1982) “Gandhi,” (1983) “The Killing Fields” (1985) and “The Mission” (1986) – won a total 19 Academy Awards, including Best Picture two years running. All of those films, save “Gandhi,” were produced by David Puttnam. To […]

As “Gladiator II” barrels towards theaters, Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal are already set to re-team on a new project. Scott will direct “The Dog Stars” for 20th Century, with Mescal in advance negotiations to star. Scott will work with Steve Asbell and the 20th Century Studios team to bring the film, adapted by Mark […]

Ridley Scott had one directive for production designer Arthur Max on “Gladiator II”: “I want to go big. I want to imply the grandeur of the Roman Empire,” he told the veteran artisan. Max, who has been Scott’s go-to production designer for over two decades, delivered a concept that he calls “‘Gladiator’ on steroids.” For […]

“Gladiator” director Ridley Scott recently told The New York Times (via Entertainment Weekly) that Russell Crowe said Joaquin Phoenix was being “terribly unprofessional” on set when Phoenix was getting cold feet and had to be convinced to stay on the movie. Crowe headlined “Gladiator” as Maximus, with Phoenix starring as the villainous Commodus. Both actors […]