Screenwriter David Franzoni talks about the origin of his GLADIATOR story...
May 17th, 2000
Screenwriter David Franzoni is the one of three screenwriters who received credit for this Summer's smash-hit GLADIATOR, but the story idea is his.
Twenty-five years ago, that's when it started for Franzoni. After reading a book about Roman Arena Gladiators Franzoni became enthralled with them. But what captured his imagination was not the "glory" of fighting and dying as a Gladiator, but the idea of honor. The story of a Gladiator was just the vehicle for his idea, the theme of the movie is much bigger.
In today's LA Times Franzoni is quoted as saying, "I think there is a need to go back to stories about honor. In the MTV Pepsi generation, truth and honor mean nothing, and money and noise mean everything."
GLADIATOR is not just a macho/testosterone flick, it's a story about a hero worth cheering for. Maximus is a family man, a warrior, a farmer, a Gladiator and he lived life with honor.
"I wanted to tell a story that reaffirms that we as human beings must stand up and fight for what we believe," says Franzoni.
Click here for the LA Times.
Twenty-five years ago, that's when it started for Franzoni. After reading a book about Roman Arena Gladiators Franzoni became enthralled with them. But what captured his imagination was not the "glory" of fighting and dying as a Gladiator, but the idea of honor. The story of a Gladiator was just the vehicle for his idea, the theme of the movie is much bigger.
In today's LA Times Franzoni is quoted as saying, "I think there is a need to go back to stories about honor. In the MTV Pepsi generation, truth and honor mean nothing, and money and noise mean everything."
GLADIATOR is not just a macho/testosterone flick, it's a story about a hero worth cheering for. Maximus is a family man, a warrior, a farmer, a Gladiator and he lived life with honor.
"I wanted to tell a story that reaffirms that we as human beings must stand up and fight for what we believe," says Franzoni.
Click here for the LA Times.
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