Gladiator II’ stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Fred Hechinger discussed filming Ridley Scott’s sequel at a special screening on the Paramount Pictures lot in Los Angeles on Oct.

Ridley Scott may not have been present for the first major screening of “Gladiator II” on Friday night on the Paramount lot in Los Angeles, but the 86-year-old director was the favorite topic of conversation for stars Paul Mescal,

Gladiator II is Ridley Scott’s best film since The Martian. A big, bloody and bad ass action spectacle that builds upon the legacy of the original. The film showcases beautiful set pieces and a lot of epic battles.

Gladiator II is Denzel Washington's second sequel and first appearance in an existing franchise, and it may define his career for the next 10 years.

Those lucky enough to be at the first screening of “Gladiator II” on Friday, October 18 at Paramount Studios witnessed nothing short of a “big, bloody and bad ass action spectacle,” a “true epic and Ridley Scott’s best in years,