Ridley Scott Unveils the Madness Behind Gladiator's Roman Emperors

Ridley Scott attributes the erratic behavior of Roman emperors in 'Gladiator' and its sequel to historical lead poisoning. He explains that the Roman aristocracy consumed water through lead pipes, which could have caused mental instability. This historical detail is reflected in the portrayal of unstable emperors in both films. 'Gladiator II,' featuring Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn as twin emperors, is receiving critical acclaim, and Scott hints at a possible extended cut and a third installment.