Gladiator 2

The Rough Cut

Editors - Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo

GLADIATOR 2 editors Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo first teamed up when Sam worked as her assistant editor on the tv series RAISED BY WOLVES (2020). From there, Claire brought Sam as her assistant to his first Ridley Scott feature, THE LAST DUEL (2021). He would assist Claire one more time for Scott's HOUSE OF GUCCI (2021) before getting the promotion to co-editor for NAPOLEON (NAPOLEON). Released twenty-four years after the original GLADIATOR (2000) film, GLADITAOR 2 takes place sixteen years after young Lucius witnesses the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle. In the long-awaited sequel, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

CLAIRE SIMPSON

Claire first worked for Ridley Scott on his 1987 film SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME. Even though that was only her fifth film credit, she was already an Oscar-winning editor having won the big prize for cutting PLATOON (1986) the year prior. She also cut director Oliver Stone’s film SALVADOR (1986) during that time. Claire would go on to do other films with both Oliver Stone and obviously Ridley Scott, and she would also receive an Oscar nomination for her work on the 2006 film, THE CONSTANT GARDENER.

SAM RESTIVO

Aside from his work with Claire Simpson and Ridley Scott, Sam has worked as an assistant editor on TV series like THE WALKING DEAD (2014) and BETTER CALL SAUL (2015) as well as being an additional editor for features such as THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (2017) and ROBIN HOOD (2018).

Editing GLADIATOR 2

In our discussion with GLADIATOR 2 editors Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo, we talk about:

• Alternating big and small projects with Ridley Scott
• Working with baboons in suits
• How Ridley edits with a brick
• The built-in logic of action editing
• If all else fails, get a reaction from the royal box

The Credits

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