Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Connie Nielsen on why

Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is being hailed as one of the director’s best works in years. The sequel revisits the high-stakes world of ancient Rome with a new generation of characters while keeping the spirit of the Oscar-winning original alive.

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington stars as Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer hungry for power. Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the original film, now caught under Macrinus’ control. Connie Nielsen returns to her role as Lucilla, the mother of Lucius and daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

“It’s about bloodline, it’s about legacy. It’s about all of those things,” Mescal said. “Gladiator II is about what’s left behind after Gladiator I. So, you have to acknowledge the spirit of it.”

Washington confidently stated that the sequel holds its own compared to its 24-year-old predecessor.

“Gladiator II is Gladiator II,” said Washington. “It stands on its own.”

Mescal admitted feeling nervous about stepping into the role and battling impostor syndrome. But he remained focused on the film’s legacy.

“We’ve got a movie to make. We’ve got a legacy to uphold with this film. I’ve got people who I admire,” said Mescal. 

Working with Ridley Scott

Washington praised director Scott’s ability to bring an authentic and immersive world of ancient Rome back to life.

“It made our job easy,” Washington said. “He built Rome. So all we had to do was put the gear on, you know, affect an accent if you will—or not—and be.”

Mescal shared a memorable moment from filming in Morocco where he saw different techniques Scott used to get the actors into character.

“What [Scott] had set up—eight cameras, all the cameramen are dressed in costumes so you can’t really see them. I was like, if I can’t act in this environment, it’s game over,” said Mescal.

Nielsen described Scott’s directing style as dynamic and ever-evolving.

“Everything is a living organism with him at all times. Everything is being changed,” she said. “He wants you to bring that stuff up when you’re walking in there. He doesn’t want you to sit and talk about that two weeks before. He wants you to bring it on set, try this out, try that out.”

“He’s a master at what he does. I’m pretty good at what I do too. So, there’s an understanding and a freedom,” Washington said. “Sometimes I’m setting him up, sometimes he’s setting me up. It’s inspiring.”

“Gladiator II” opens in theaters November 22.

Nate Burleson

Nate Burleson is a co-host of “CBS Mornings.” He is also an Emmy Award-winning studio analyst for CBS Sports’ NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game show, “The NFL Today,” and is the host of Nickelodeon’s “NFL Slime Time.”