Joseph Quinn reflects on the challenge of following Joaquin Phoenix’s iconic role in Gladiator II

Joseph Quinn, who stars in the highly anticipated Gladiator II, recently shared his thoughts on stepping into the shoes of a villain in Ridley Scott's sequel to the 2000 classic Gladiator. Quinn, who portrays the Roman emperor Geta in the new film, spoke about the immense respect and admiration he holds for Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Commodus in the original movie.
Quinn acknowledged that Phoenix’s portrayal of Commodus left a lasting impression on audiences and became a benchmark for villains in cinema.He explained that while Phoenix’s performance was a significant influence, he and the filmmakers wanted to honor it without trying to replicate it poorly. Instead, Quinn sought inspiration from other renowned actors known for their compelling villainous roles. He mentioned Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance in Mission: Impossible III and Gary Oldman’s role in The Fifth Element as key influences, noting how these actors brought a unique intensity and enjoyment to their characters' malevolence.

The sequel continues the story of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, who as a child witnessed the death of Maximus, the protagonist of the first film portrayed by Russell Crowe. Now grown, Lucius finds himself in the Colosseum once again, this time as a gladiator fighting to restore honor to Rome. The film also features an impressive cast, including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucius’ mother, Lucilla.
Quinn expressed his excitement and gratitude for working with Ridley Scott, a director he greatly admires. He praised Scott’s energy and passion for filmmaking, which, even at 86 years old, remains undiminished. Quinn described the experience of working on Gladiator II as incredibly rare, not only because of the opportunity to be part of such a significant project but also because of the chance to witness Scott’s remarkable recreation of ancient Rome. Quinn felt fortunate to be involved in the film and was determined to make the most of this unique experience.
The film is set to premiere internationally on November 15 and will be released in the U.S. and Canada on November 22. With its star-studded cast and the legacy of the original Gladiator behind it, Gladiator II is poised to be one of the most anticipated films of the year.