Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Paul Mescal are all rightly singing the praises of Gladiator IIs director, Ridley Scott. The trio of talented actors all attended the films first significant screening on the Paramount Pictures lot last Friday in Los Angeles, and they talked up their leader despite his absence. Washington told those in attendance at a special Q&A that Ridley built Rome. And when the moderator asked Washington why he agreed to star in the sword-and-sandal sequel, the A-lister succinctly answered (per Variety):