. >>> academy award-winning director ridley scott is working on a new movie. it's called "the dog stars," telling the story of a catastrophic flu virus that wipes out nearly all of humanity. if you ever wondered what goes into a movie like that, just ask the director, who is still bask in the glow of his latest blockbuster "gladiator ii." here is cbs' elizabeth palmer. >> reporter: take one roman army, a righteous warrior, and lots of fighting. ridley scott has pulled together everything fans loved the first time around. how long had you been wanting to make "gladiator ii"? >> well, since "gladiator" one, i made 17 movies, so i was quite busy. >> reporter: that's an understatement. he only wrapped up his sweeping historical drama "napoleon" a year ago. >> so during that time, i kept thinking i should be doing "gladiator ii." >> my name is maximus decimus. >> reporter: in the original "gladiator," russell crowe was the hero. >> loyal servant to the emperor. >> reporter: battling for honor and the roman empire. in the sequel, it's the same empire, but this time

. >> jimmy: by the way, it's getting praise from martin scorsese, ridley scott. >> i know, amazing. >believable. >> jimmy: i'm psyched. [ cheers and applause ] walk me through this. >> yeah, it was one of the great days. martin scorsese introduced it on our first screening in new york, and just, like, gave the most beautiful introduction. it was those pinch me moments, i can't even tell you. >> jimmy: how do you choose this film and why is this the first one to write and direct this one? >> i always felt like it had to be the right thing, it had to be something special. something that made me, like i had to do it. >> jimmy: but you had this in your head, this idea? >> yeah, the idea. and it sort of -- it started ruminating. and i -- you know, also remember michael pitt when i was in "boardwalk -- the "boardwalk empire" days. he always used to be punching sandbags, going to the boxing gym in between takes. and i was like -- i got this idea, i saw stanley kubrick short documentary. a little documentary just about a boxer on the day of a prize fight. and i said, all the films i loved gro