Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott sparks fury in Malta by saying he 'wouldn't advise' holidaying on the island - despite government paying £48m for him to film there
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Director Ridley Scott has sparked fury in Matla by saying he 'wouldn't advise' holidaying on the island after filming there for Gladiator 2. Renowned British director Scott, 86, was discussing how appealing Malta is as a filming location with fellow director Christopher Nolan this month when he told the audience that he 'wouldn't advise going there on holiday', Business Insider reports.
![[Renowned British director Scott (right), 86, was discussing how appealing Malta is as a filming location with fellow director Christopher Nolan (left) this month when he told the audience that he 'wouldn't advise going there on holiday']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/30/21/93598073-14237237-image-a-13_1735593940851.jpg)
Even though he praised Malta, calling it 'a treasure trove of architecture' that 'goes from medieval right through to renaissance', he still doubled down by saying he would 'not go back there on holiday'. Johann Grech, who is Malta's film commissioner, shared a clip of Scott's positive remarks on Facebook, including the director saying 'when it's good, it's spectacular' - but left out the advice against Malta as a vacation destination.
![[Scott's comments have enraged Maltese politicians after the country's government paid £48million in rebates for the movie (still pictured above) being filmed there]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/30/21/93598257-14237237-image-a-15_1735594114686.jpg)
Scott's comments have enraged Maltese politicians after the country's government paid £48million in rebates for the movie being filmed there. Julie Zahra, the culture spokesperson for the opposition party in Malta's parliament, said on Facebook that Grech had been 'humiliated' by Scott saying he would not recommend going on holiday to Malta and should resign from his post.
![[Gladiator II director Sir Ridley Scott (centre), pictured with Gladiator II Irish actor Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington (left), has been branded 'lazy']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/27/21/92161223-14133609-The_sequel_stars_Irish_actor_Paul_Mescal_and_Denzel_Washington_l-a-45_1732743066861.jpg)
She also criticised that Grech had only uploaded Scott's positive comments, saying Grech had 'censored' and 'manipulated' what was actually said. Another member of Malta's parliament, Adrian Delia, lashed out at Scott who 'mesmerized millions with tales of historic legend brought to life' but seems to 'have not managed to learn respect'.
![[This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, from left, director Ridley Scott, and Paul Mescal on the set of Gladiator 2]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/30/21/93598275-14237237-image-a-16_1735594216294.jpg)
