The characters, loosely based on the Roman emperors of the same names, pop in all their scenes.
At any moment, they seem poised to brutally murder someone or invite them to a lavish feast.
It was really cool."
Fred Hechinger plays Emperor Caracalla and Joseph Quinn plays Emperor Geta in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.Aidan Monaghan/Paramount
Joining from New York, Hechinger adds with a laugh, “That’s just our lives.
That’s how we exist.
We just happened to be able to put it in the film as well.”
Joseph Quinn’s Emperor Geta stares down Denzel Washington’s Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’.Paramount
“It wasveryfun,” Quinn says.
We tried to foster these two energies that somehow complemented each other but also seemed different."
Like any good brotherhood, the love is mutual.
Pedro Pascal plays General Acacius and Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla in ‘Gladiator II’.Cuba Scott/Paramount
Every day, I was surprised through the roof.
Of course, nothing will surprise you quite like a real live monkey.
Dundus is only going to tell the truth."
“I would add it’s a testament to Ridley’s inventiveness.
“But Fred negotiated Dundus really well, I must say.”
“We became friends,” Hechinger says hesitantly.
“We spent time together.
Yeah, I rehearsed a lot with Dundus and I rehearsed a lot with Joe.
These are two great collaborators in very different ways.
Joking aside, he adds, “Ridley is a limitless filmmaker to Joe’s point.
Any other filmmaker would say, ‘Okay, that’s enough craziness.’
He also really loves animals.
Geta is the older, slightly more responsible brother, while Caracalla is a bit more reckless.
“I think that is an astute observation,” Quinn says when EW points this out.
“I think that Geta certainly plays the role of an older brother.
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They’re just overflowing with all of it, with villainy and corruption and love and tenderness and courage.
Gladiator IIhits (amphi)theaters on Nov. 22.
