9. Ridley Scott Tried To Sell An Enormous Set To The Maltese Authorities
The attention to period detail is certainly something which stands out when you watch Gladiator, from the costume design to the weapons and armour. The sets, too, are some of the most impressive ever constructed for a film, and the segment of the Colosseum built in Malta is reported to have cost in the region of $1 million. During production, Ridley Scott actually approached the Maltese authorities to see if they would be interested in buying the set off him after the film was completed, suggesting they could use it as a tourist attraction. He offered to make it a permanent structure, putting in proper footings and making it durable throughout the seasons. When they declined the set was built using plywood and plaster - needless to say, the Maltese authorities soon changed their minds when they saw the finished product. Their indecision cost them a potentially lucrative tourist attraction - the set was unlikely to last through the inclement winter weather.