Ridley Scott has delivered impeccable projects in Hollywood, including Gladiator. Given that the project garnered immense acclaim from audiences and critics alike, he is set to bring the ambiance back again with its anticipated sequel, Gladiator II, featuring Paul Mescal in the leading role of Lucius Verus.
Just like its predecessor, the upcoming movie is going to bring back grandiose action sequences. In a recent interview, the director reflected upon Mescal’s death-defying sequence involving a marauding rhino.
Ridley Scott Delves into How Gladiator II‘s Action Sequence Came to Existence
Gladiator II is among the highly anticipated movies of this year, which promises to take us back into Scott’s filmmaking, who is known for pushing the boundaries of cinematic innovation.
In a recent Empire interview, the film director Ridley Scott has teased about the upcoming movie’s outstanding action sequences, explaining in detail about one particular sequence involving the leading actor, Paul Mescal‘s character.
Unlike the original Gladiator movie, which relied heavily on physical sets and props, the sequel smartly utilizes computer-generated imagery (CGI) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a marauding rhino that feels more life-like.
The director teased that Mescal’s character, Lucius, will take on a rhinoceros in the Colosseum, explaining how he made it possible.
Computerisation and AI — you have to embrace it. I can have a computer read every molecule and wrinkle on a rhino and then cut it on a thick piece of plastic, absolutely as a rhino’s body, which is then tailored to a skeleton shape.
By combining the technology with practical effects, the filmmaker was able to create a life-sized model of the rhino, complete with detailed textures and movements.
Ridley Scott Had a ‘Lot of Fun‘ Working on Gladiator II‘s Rhino Sequence
Creating the Rhino meticulously was only possible due to modern technology, further enhancing the upcoming movie’s vibes. However, Scott refrained the team from relying solely on CGI and instead used a physical model to add authenticity to the scene, enhancing the viewers’ experience.
He explained that the life-size digitally driven Rhino was capable of moving at “40 miles an hour, spin on the spot, wag its head and snarl” which is the epitome of meticulous craftsmanship that made his movie more special.
The rhinoceros in question is even evident in the trailer, where he went out of the gates into the Colosseum, with a man in armor on his back. Commenting on the scene, Scott shared, “A two-ton rhino with a guy on its back! I mean, it’s a lot of fun.”
As for what’s in store for fans, the director reflected,
We begin the film with probably the biggest action sequence I’ve ever done. Probably bigger than anything in ‘Napoleon.’
Gladiator II also stars Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn.
Gladiator II will be released in theatres on 22 November in the U.S. and Canada.
