Paramount
Acclaimed director Ridley Scott has surprisingly opted to produce a sequel to his iconic 2000 film, “Gladiator,” a whole 24 years after its original release. The expectedly anachronistic “Gladiator II” will revolve around Lucius Verus, played by Paul Mescal, who’s supposedly the adult son of Maximus, the character Russell Crowe portrayed in the original film. Verus is set to embark on his own thrilling, bloodied, sword-fighting adventures. Connie Nielsen will reprise her role as Verus’ mother, Lucilla, in the sequel, which will also introduce new characters portrayed by Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. As with most of Scott’s films, “Gladiator II” will be partially produced by Scott Free, Scott’s own production company, which has been managing all his films since “Thelma & Louise” in 1991.
Something worth noting in this context is the Scott Free vanity card. It’s an enigmatic 18-second animated short that features an unidentified cloaked figure lighting a cigarette in the shadowy darkness, then getting startled by a suddenly opening door. This figure then scurries a few steps and metamorphoses into a bird. The vanity card’s creator is an artist known as Gianluigi Toccafondo, a creator of short films. His work is typically characterized by a dreamy, shimmering quality, with many painterly images that vibrate and transform. You can find a selection of his shorts on Vimeo.
Interestingly, Toccafondo didn’t just create the Scott Free vanity card; he also animated certain minor scenes in the first “Gladiator.” Impressed by his work, Scott wanted to employ Toccafondo for “Gladiator II” and reached out to bring the Italian animator back on board. But not before asking him a rather humorous question.
Ridley Scott’s Funny Query to Gianluigi Toccafondo: “Are You Still Alive?”
Scott Free
Toccafondo has been primarily working in Italy, producing art, designing film posters, and remaining relatively isolated within the Italian film industry. He hasn’t gained much in terms of extensive, mainstream international success. In fact, the Scott Free vanity card might be Toccafondo’s most recognized work in the United States. Ridley Scott seems to have lost touch with Toccafondo, as evidenced by the awkward question he posed to the artist while trying to recruit him again for “Gladiator II.” As the director explained to The Hollywood Reporter:
“I rang him up and asked, ‘Are you still alive and interested in doing this?’ I had him animate elements from ‘Gladiator,’ so now you’re ‘being entertained’ before [the movie starts].”
Indeed, Toccafondo is very much alive at 59 and agreed to the project. Scott’s joke about being entertained is a reference to a scene in “Gladiator” where Maximus defeats several opponents in a gladiatorial arena and then confrontationally asks the audience, “Are you not entertained?” thereby implicating the audience in the violence of the arena.
As “Gladiator II” is yet to be released, audiences haven’t had the chance to appreciate Toccafondo’s recent work. However, if we are to believe Scott, the animated opening will at least be entertaining. Meanwhile, Scott has been on a roll in his later years. At 86, he continues to produce films, with two in 2021 (“House of Gucci” and “The Last Duel”), one in 2023 (“Napoleon”), and now “Gladiator II” in 2024. He’s already working on a biopic of the Bee Gees and an action-packed movie called “Bomb,” in addition to developing ideas for “Gladiator III.” So, are you not entertained?
“Gladiator II” is slated for release in cinemas on November 22, 2024.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
