Ridley Scott, the visionary director behind iconic films like Gladiator and Blade Runner, joins Fede Alvarez, known for his thrilling storytelling, for a captivating conversation. They dive into the careful casting choices for Gladiator II, focusing on Paul Mescal's pivotal role. Scott shares insights on embracing spontaneity in filmmaking and the importance of editorial detachment to enhance creativity. They also reflect on the filmmaking journey, touching on industry challenges in the streaming era and what it means to preserve legacy in the ever-evolving cinematic landscape.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Collaborate Deeply with Writers
Collaborate closely with writers to evolve the script through daily work.
Be open to changing and building the story beyond the initial idea for richer results.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Casting Paul Mescal for Gladiator II
Ridley Scott chose Paul Mescal for Gladiator II after watching his TV show Normal People.
He watched all eight hours to confirm Mescal's suitability for the role of Lucius.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Plan Shots Thoroughly
Plan your shots and camera placements thoroughly before filming.
Use storyboards to communicate visual plans and allow actors to contribute ideas during rehearsals.
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Normal People is a character-driven novel that delves into the intricate relationship between Marianne and Connell, starting from their high school days in County Sligo, Ireland, and continuing through their university years at Trinity College Dublin. The story explores themes of love, class division, mental health, and the complexities of human connection. Marianne, from an upper-class background with an abusive family, and Connell, from a working-class background, engage in a secret relationship in high school due to Connell's fear of social judgment. As they grow and navigate different social worlds, their relationship is marked by periods of intense connection and separation, influenced by their socioeconomic backgrounds and personal insecurities. Rooney's writing is characterized by its spare prose, detailed character development, and a deep exploration of the psychological and emotional nuances of the characters[2][4][5].
Ulysses
James Joyce
Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape[2][3][5].
Director Ridley Scott discusses his new film, Gladiator II, with fellow Director Fede Alvarez in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he decided on casting Actor Paul Mescal in the lead role, how he distances himself from the post process so he and his team have space to do their best work, and which of his legacy films he would preserve if he could only choose one.
The sequel to Scott's 2000 film Gladiator takes place years after the events of the first film and follows Lucius—who as a child witnessed the revered hero Maximus die at the hands of his uncle. As his home is conquered and he is forced to fight as a gladiator in the Colosseum, Lucius attempts to reclaim everything he has lost.
The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast 
