Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director, has an illustrious career that began with his 1977 debut in The Duellists. However, it was his follow-up film, Alien, that solidified his legacy, establishing a franchise that continues to thrive. Scott’s subsequent venture into sci-fi, Blade Runner, initially faced criticism and box office disappointment upon its 1982 release but has since emerged as a foundational work in the genre.
Scott’s reach extends beyond science fiction into various film categories. His 1991 film Thelma and Louise is recognized as an iconic feminist narrative, while the 2001 military drama Black Hawk Down provides a harrowing look at the realities of warfare, inspired by the events of the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Additionally, Scott’s expertise is evident in his historical epics, including the Academy Award-winning Gladiator and the more recent Gladiator II, along with his 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven.
Ridley Scott Reacquires Kingdom of Heaven’s Set for Gladiator II
Utilizing the Set for Gladiator II’s Numidia Sequence
Initially, Scott sold the set of Kingdom of Heaven for a mere $10. This film, which narrates events during the Crusades, features an all-star cast that includes Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, David Thewlis, Edward Norton, Kevin McKidd, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, and Liam Neeson. Bloom stars as Balian, a crusader defending the Kingdom of Jerusalem against the army of Sultan Saladin, played by Ghassan Massoud. The film boasted a budget of $130 million and went on to earn $218.1 million globally (as documented by Box Office Mojo).
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for his role in Game of Thrones, also appeared as a village sheriff in Kingdom of Heaven.
During a roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott shared insights about the set’s fate. Faced with a $300,000 fee for dismantling the set in Ouarzazate, Morocco, he opted to transfer ownership to the locals for just $10, provided they assumed insurance responsibilities. Yet, when he sought to rent it back 15 years later for Gladiator II, the cost had ballooned to $1 million — a dramatic increase considering it was originally his creation.
I did a big film called Kingdom of Heaven years ago in Ouarzazate, Morocco. And to take it down would’ve cost me $300,000. So I said to the Ouarzazates, “Do you want to buy it? I can sell it to you for $10, but you have to take on all the responsibility of insurance.” So I sold it for $10. Fifteen years later, I wanted to rent it back to do the Numidian sequence [in Gladiator II]. I had to pay $1 million to rent my own set.
Analyzing Ridley Scott’s Experience
Effective Use of the Kingdom of Heaven Set in Gladiator II
From a creative perspective, Scott’s decision to rent the Kingdom of Heaven set proved advantageous. The opening sequence in Gladiator 2, set in Numidia, is among the standout elements of the film. This segment not only features exhilarating action but also successfully introduces Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius Verus, and the environment he has adapted to since the previous film’s conclusion. During discussions with fellow directors, Scott noted that reusing sets is not only efficient but also environmentally responsible. Although the price to rent the Kingdom of Heaven set was substantial due to inflation and other economic factors, it ultimately contributed to a compelling storytelling experience.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Box Office Mojo
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