Ridley Scott has recently revealed why Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II movie.

In a new interview with The New York Times, Ridley said, “Barry got locked into Saltburn,” while talking about the dark comedy released last year.

While praising Barry in Saltburn, Ridley stated, “I think that’s maybe the best film I’ve seen this year.”

“Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and and Paul,” continued the 86-year-old movie-maker.

Ridley shared that Barry “is so complex and actually has it under control”.

“I know he’s a bit of a challenge, but he’s worth it. Like deciding on Joaquin, it’s worth it,” confessed the renowned director.

Earlier, speaking on the Louis Theroux Podcast, Barry addressed memorable scene, in which he danced to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s song Murder on the Dancefloor.

The actor replied, “It was all me. It was a thing that I didn’t really bat an eyelid to. You know, I would [have] bat an eyelid if it didn’t fit the story.”

Barry previously described the scene as “embracing full confidence” in a November 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly.

“After take one, I was ready to go. I was like, ‘Let’s go again. Let’s go again,’” mentioned the actor.

Meanwhile, Gladiator II, which feature Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, will release in theaters on November 22.