Building an empire again – Ridley Scott and Michael Pruss discuss the return of Gladiator’s timeless legacy

Gladiator was more than a film; it was a cinematic odyssey that reshaped historical drama and gripped audiences across the globe. Its intense storytelling and iconic characters etched a lasting legacy in film history. Now, the epic saga lives on as Gladiator II promises to reignite that legendary spirit and resonate anew. Visionary director Ridley Scott and producer Michael Pruss share their insights into breathing life back into this colossal narrative—

Ridley Scott, driven by a relentless passion for storytelling, shares, “There’s a great deal of excitement about doing a film of this scale. You have to live through a great deal of stress. In fact, you’ve got to embrace stress! I do. It keeps me flying. The work is detail upon detail upon detail. And the more you spread your ideas, the more synergy you are going to find. The popularity of Gladiator just kept growing. The film stayed in the public’s mind. I knew we should consider a sequel, but it took years to figure out what the story was going to be.”

Producer Michael Pruss, president of film at Scott Free Productions, who has spent more than a decade collaborating closely with Scott added, “The first film has gone on to become an iconic cultural touchstone for film fans all over the globe. The world of the Roman Empire and the unforgettable characters of Gladiator were so brilliantly crafted. Recreating that on an even grander scale was a necessity. We wanted that same powerful motivation for revenge but something that was also fresh and modern and unique. It took longer than anybody anticipated, but great ideas and human drama take time to craft. Hopefully the results here speak for themselves.”

From legendary director Ridley Scott comes Gladiator II, a powerful return to Ancient Rome’s fierce world of power, vengeance, and destiny. Years after the tragic death of the hero Maximus, Lucius (Paul Mescal) finds himself thrown into the brutal Colosseum after his home falls to tyrannical rulers who now grip Rome in fear. With fury igniting his soul and the Empire’s fate hanging in the balance, Lucius must delve into his past to summon the strength and honor needed to restore Rome’s lost glory to its people. The saga continues—bolder, bloodier, and more epic than ever

The film makes its way to cinemas in India on 15th November in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu in 4Dx & IMAX!