The Colosseum filled with water in Gladiator IIRidley Scott delivers a passionate defense of one of Gladiator II‘s more peculiar scenes, sparking debate about the film’s blend of historical accuracy and cinematic flair. As a sequel to Scott’s 2000 Oscar-winning movie, Gladiator II will return to Ancient Rome, this time following Lucius (Paul Mescal), a character similar to Russell Crowe’s Maximus. Lucius’ life is upended when he is forced into slavery by the invading Roman army led by General Marcus Aracius (Pedro Pascal). Seeking vengeance and fighting for the glory and salvation of a crumbling Rome, Lucius channels Maximus’ fighting spirit to ignite a revolution.

In a recent interview with Collider, Scott and Mescal discussed the upcoming film. Scott elaborated on Gladiator II‘s approach of blending historical details with creative liberties, particularly regarding a scene involving sharks in Rome’s Colosseum. When questioned about the scene’s historical accuracy regarding the sharks, the acclaimed filmmaker openly defended his choice, saying, “You’re dead wrong.” Read his comments below:

You’re dead wrong. The Colosseum did flood with water, and there were sea battles… Dude, if you can build a Colosseum, you can flood it with fucking water. Are you joking? And to get a couple of sharks in a net from the sea, are you kidding? Of course they can.

Scott and Mescal continued to elaborate on the scene’s credibility, pointing out how Roman engineering allowed for feats that seem extraordinary even by modern standards.

SCOTT: They were quite small. They were only about six or seven feet.

MESCAL: Only small sharks — six or seven feet.

SCOTT: When you can do what they could do. We don’t make concrete as well as the Romans.

MESCAL: That’s crazy.

SCOTT: They can’t work out what that mix was. The Romans discovered how to make iron even harder. They were technologically superior.

What This Means For Gladiator II

A New Take On History

Paul Mescal starring intensely as Lucius in Gladiator 2 Denzel Washington smirking as Macrinus in Gladiator 2 Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius holding his sword over his chest General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and the two emperors with the coliseum in the background in Gladiator 2 Lucius (Paul Mescal) wields his sword while surrounded by armored individuals in Gladiator II
Paul Mescal starring intensely as Lucius in Gladiator 2 Denzel Washington smirking as Macrinus in Gladiator 2 Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius holding his sword over his chest General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and the two emperors with the coliseum in the background in Gladiator 2 Lucius (Paul Mescal) wields his sword while surrounded by armored individuals in Gladiator II

The Colosseum was indeed capable of flooding for mock naval battles, known as naumachiae. However, the introduction of sharks in these battles adds a layer of theatricality that pushes the boundaries of what the audience expects from the anticipated historical epic. Scott’s insistence on the inclusion of sharks in the Colosseum exemplifies his approach to combining historical accuracy with cinematic spectacle. While some may object to the idea of sharks in ancient Rome, Scott highlighted the Romans’ incredible engineering, which was known for innovations such as aqueducts, heated floors, and the complex structure of the Colosseum itself.

The exchange between fact and fiction in Gladiator II suggests that audiences can expect a film that takes creative liberties while remaining rooted in plausible interpretations of history.

Scott is no stranger to fusing historical facts with epic drama; his filmography includes films like The Last Duel and Kingdom of Heaven, which both skillfully combine fact with Hollywood flair. By incorporating these lesser-known details, Scott challenges audiences to reevaluate their perceptions of the history and spectacle of the ancient world while providing the dramatic, larger-than-life moments that made Gladiator a classic. The exchange between fact and fiction in Gladiator II suggests that audiences can expect a film that takes creative liberties while remaining rooted in plausible interpretations of history.

Our Take On Gladiator II’s Creative Direction

It Works For Gladiator’s Legacy

Paul Mescal as Lucius with a purple sky behind him in the Colosseum in Gladiator 2

Scott’s original Gladiator captivated audiences with its epic tale, deeply human characters, and historical accuracy—albeit with some artistic license. In addition to upping the ante, Scott’s decision to include bold, unexpected elements, like the shark scene in the upcoming sequel, echoes the larger-than-life mythology of ancient Rome, a place where, from what we know, reality often bordered on legend. If Gladiator II can effectively strike the balance between accuracy and cinematic glory, it has the potential to repeat its predecessor’s popularity and cement Scott’s reputation as a master of historical epics.

Gladiator II hits theaters on November 22.