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Ridley Scott has reached the age of 87. For artists like the English director, this milestone marks not just a birthday, but also another vintage of his career, now spanning 61 years. While his 94-year-old colleague Clint Eastwood may be considering Juror #2 as his last work before retirement, judging by his upcoming projects, Scott has no intention of setting a retirement date for himself.
Two years ago, on Hypercritic, we celebrated Scott, diving into who influenced him, his iconic works, and his impact on cinema and collective imagination. Now, we revisit the work of the last true craftsman of cinema, his latest releases—Napoleon and Gladiator II—and what he’s currently working on.
So, is your attitude now that you’ll stop directing when you’re dead?
When I go [makes croaking noise]. I mean, Clint [Eastwood] is 94.
From Hollywood Reporter’s Interview
Ridley Scott in the 2020s
Scott started the last decade with The Last Duel (2021), an ambitious movie that underperformed at the box office, and House of Gucci (2021). In 2023 and 2024, the director delivered two grand works to the public: the monumental Napoleon and the unexpected Gladiator II.
First and foremost, when watching a Scott film, one must remember that he directed Alien and Blade Runner. Thus, the audience should expect a cinematic spectacle, not historical accuracy. This mindset helps silence many critics’ complaints and enhances the viewing experience.
Napoleon | Scott’s Grandeur
Throughout his career, Stanley Kubrick worked on a biographical film about Napoleon Bonaparte. The film was meant to star Jack Nicholson as the protagonist and Audrey Hepburn as Josephine. However, the project never materialized due to various complications, including the prohibitive costs.
In 2020, the idea of telling Napoleon’s story came to Scott. After reading Kubrick’s script and involving screenwriter David Scarpa, in January 2021, Apple Studios announced the production of the film with a budget of $200 million.
Among the anecdotes is that Paul Thomas Anderson rewrote the script to prevent Joaquin Phoenix, as Napoleon, from leaving the project. The original title was Kitbag, derived from the saying, “There is a general’s staff hidden in every soldier’s kitbag.” In the end, Napoleon premiered in cinemas in November 2023.
Why Watch Napoleon
Scott’s epicness is not about fast-paced action, which is notably slower in this case, particularly in scenes featuring Josephine (played by Vanessa Kirby) and her relationship with Napoleon. The epicness comes from the details in each shot: every frame is an example of richness and craftsmanship, capable of consciously or subconsciously reaching the entire audience.
For those more captivated by the chamber drama aspect of the story than the battles, the Director’s Cut version – released in late summer 2024 – adds 48 minutes, highlighting the character of Empress Josephine.
Gladiator II | An Unexpected Pop Oeuvre
Upon the announcement of Gladiator II, a common question arose: Why? After 24 years since the first film and five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Costume Design), Scott returns the audience to his ancient Rome: an extravagant film with soap opera-like traits. However, beyond this initial impression, Gladiator II presents several layers of meaning and non-trivial themes. While the first film set an unshakable standard of masculinity with Maximus/Russell Crowe, Scott, with this new chapter, proves his ability to avoid being trapped in the past, bringing Gladiators 2.0 to the screen.
Why Watch Gladiator II
Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal play muscular fighters with strategic and emotional intelligence far removed from the concept of toxic masculinity. The subplot with Macrinus (Denzel Washington) and its outcomes—such as the choice of a monkey as the first citizen—offer the audience an unexpected lens to view power dynamics in the present day.
Once again, Scott’s masterful ability to create meaning through visuals and his sharp adherence to the golden rule of “show, don’t tell” present a world of decadence and contemporary chaos. It is all the more interesting to compare Gladiator II with another 2024 film, F.F. Coppola’s Megalopolis, inspired by ancient Rome. Megalopolis feels slow and meandering in the plot, with stereotypical characters, redundant didactic dialogues, and moralistic perspectives.
What’s Next | Alien, the Bee Gees, and all in between
Following the success of Alien: Romulus (directed by Fede Álvarez, with Cailee Spaeny), Scott is planning a new chapter in the famous sci-fi saga. For fans of Ridley Scott’s worlds, the good news doesn’t stop there: the upcoming series Blade Runner 2099 by Silka Luisa and FX’s Alien: Earth by Noah Hawley (Fargo).
Returning to Scott’s current projects, we find a biopic about the Bee Gees, highlighting his versatility and relentless energy.
What’s your take on Quentin Tarantino saying he’s going to retire after making his tenth movie?
I don’t believe it.
Same. If you love to do something, and you’re great at it, you might stop, and then you get sucked back in.
Exactly. I don’t fucking believe that bullshit. Shut up and go make another movie.
From Hollywood Reporter’s Interview
