Gladiator 2’s Fred Hechinger does an impromptu monkey moment

Fred Hechinger not just had Joseph Quinn as the main stage partner in Gladiator IIand his other was somewhat more unpredictable.

As Geth’s co-emperor, Hechinger has numerous scenes in the sequel with Geth’s pet monkey, Dundus, marking Sherry’s first film role as an ape.

“I hope it’s not the last, she’s great,” he said Digital spy. “And there’s a bunch of key moments where Sherry was making a choice, the moment that ended in the movie.

“Dundus makes a very important pivoting leap from one character to another, and that’s something Sherry added that wasn’t in the script. The way Ridley shoots, he has eight cameras running all the time, so everything is covered.

Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn in Gladiator 2.

First priority

“So when you’re working with a monkey that’s doing all these spontaneous incredible things, the coverage makes sure it can be in the movie.”

For some actors, the unpredictability of a co-star can be a problem, but Hechinger welcomed the uniqueness of filming with Sherry.

“As an actor, I think being surprised is such a joy. You seem to be looking for a surprise. You’re looking for things that will blow you away, and obviously an animal always surprises,” he explained.

First priority

“And for this character, he’s quite impulsive, so it makes sense that he’s so close to the impulsive monkey.”

Hechinger also spoke with Digital spy about criticism of the historical correctness of Fr Gladiator 2while Denzel Washington has responded to Oscar’s first worries for the role of Macrin.

Gladiator II is now in UK cinemas and will be released in US cinemas on November 22.

Film Editor, Digital Spy Ian has over 10 years of experience in film journalism as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyze the UK box office and carve out his own niche with horror moviesattending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital spyoriginally a television writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. In 2019, he became a film editor, in which role he interviewed hundreds of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, becoming a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as a guest expert on BBC News and on stage at MCM Comic-Con. Wherever he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.

Deputy Film Editor, Digital Spy
Mireya (she/her) worked as a film and television journalist for over seven years, mainly for a Spanish magazine Photograms.

Her works have been published in other publications such as Esquire and Ale in Spain, and WeLoveCinema in Great Britain.

She is also a published author, having written essays Biblioteca Studio Ghibli: Nicky, la aprendiz de bruja about Hayao Miyazaki Kiki Delivery Service.
During her years as a freelance journalist and film critic, Mireia covered festivals around the world and interviewed such famous talents as Kristen Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal and many others. She has also participated in such juries as the FIPRESCI Jury at the Venice Film Festival and the Short Film Jury at the Kingston International Film Festival in London.
Mireya, now based in the UK, joined Digital spy in June 2023 as a deputy film editor.

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