With ‘Gladiator II’, opening this week, the Roman Empire is in turmoil under the twin sibling emperors Geta and Caracalla, portrayed by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn. These rulers, consumed by power and paranoia, exude an unsettling volatility that leaves audiences gripping their seats.
The film follows Paul Mescal as Lucius, the now-grown nephew of Commodus. With Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal in supporting roles, the sequel promises a tale that is as emotionally charged as it is visually stunning. Additionally, Ridley Scott even teased the possibility of a ‘Gladiator III’, though there is no official confirmation.
Ridley Scott Believes The Lead Consumption Of The Romans Led To Their Unhinged Behavior
It’s not the first time director Ridley Scott has explored the unbalanced psyche of Roman leaders. In the 2000 classic Gladiator, Joaquin Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus was a striking portrait of a tyrant teetering on the edge, plagued by delusions of grandeur and a desperate need for validation.
However, according to Scott, there’s more to this madness than mere narrative drama. “People forget that all the wealthy, high-end senatorial Roman aristocracy would live on water which was piped through lead pipes and lead tanks,” Scott recently told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Your choice was water or wine. When you drink water, it’s through a lead system that by then could be 200 years old. No wonder they’re f***ing crazy. They’re all going halfway to Alzheimer’s,” he added. Scott’s comments point to a historical truth that has fascinated scientists for decades.
High-born Romans not only drank water from lead-contaminated pipes but also consumed food and beverages cooked in lead vessels. Additionally, the neurotoxic effects of lead poisoning are well-documented, and symptoms of this range from irritability and mood swings to severe cognitive decline.
Testing on ancient Roman pipes even revealed water with lead levels 100 times higher than what’s deemed safe today. While scientists generally agree that lead poisoning alone didn’t bring down the Roman Empire, it certainly could have contributed to the erratic behavior of its elite rulers.
For Scott, this insight adds a layer of realism to his depictions of imperial instability. Moreover, his fascination with the interplay of power and madness extends beyond historical accuracy. He revealed that his original cut of ‘Gladiator II‘ ran close to four hours. “There’s a lot of depth to explore here,” Scott explained. So, Gladiator’s story might not just be over yet.
‘Gladiator II’ Suffers At Box Office
The battle for box office supremacy has already begun, with ‘Gladiator II’ and Universal’s musical ‘Wicked’. A lot of people are calling it this year’s Barbenheimer. However, it’s safe to say that the hype isn’t nearly as much. Moreover, early numbers show Wicked leading with $19.2 million in previews, while Gladiator II trails with $6.5 million.
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Projected to open with around $65 million, ‘Gladiator II’s performance isn’t as high as expected, given its $250 million production budget and a hefty $100 million marketing campaign. Yet with critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase, the film seems poised to carve out its own legacy.
Additionally, while ‘Wicked’ might be leading in the box office race, Scott’s comments hint at a bigger picture for the ‘Gladiator’ franchise. Despite the first and second editions of the films being decades apart, the story of the Gladiator might not just be over.
