Northern Irish Photographer for Gladiator II Joins Paul Mescal at Premiere

A significant trajectory connects rural County Fermanagh to the red carpet of a major global film premiere, a path traversed by Ederney native Aidan Monaghan. On Wednesday, the photographer interacted with the prominent figures of Sir Ridley Scott’s epic blockbuster, Gladiator II. He was responsible for the official on-set photographs, which are now displayed on billboards worldwide. Aidan Monaghan conveyed to BBC News NI that his experience alongside Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington as they occupied London’s Leicester Square for an evening to promote the film was “incredible.” He further stated, “No words can really describe it.” This occasion marked his fourth collaboration with the acclaimed film director. Aidan, a professional photographer for 15 years, explained that his role in producing official stills for a major production such as this entails “capturing the essence of the actual movie that sells it to the public.” His images for Gladiator II have been featured on large billboards globally, including locations like Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard. The Fermanagh native described the experience of witnessing his work for Gladiator II, the sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning film starring Russell Crowe, displayed on such a grand scale as “surreal.” While in London, he was able to view his photographs from his hotel room with a vantage point over Leicester Square and near Waterloo Station. In addition to prominent billboards, his work has also graced the covers of recent issues of Total Film and Empire magazine, an achievement he considers a “huge honour.” Aidan perceived a sense of destiny in his involvement with major Hollywood productions. His late father, Brian, cultivated his early appreciation for cinema. Aidan recounted to BBC News NI, “At home with dad and my brother we would have watched classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Lawrence of Arabia.” He noted a particular significance when, during an earlier shoot for Ridley Scott’s The Martian, he resided in Aqaba, the location where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed, an experience he characterized as “special.” Aidan’s father passed away in January of this year. Aidan expressed a conviction that his father was present with him in spirit, and that his work was, in a way, “for him.” The current period is widely regarded as a golden era for Irish actors, with talents such as Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy, Andrew Scott, Barry Keoghan, and Saiorse Ronan appearing in recent critically acclaimed films. Aidan articulated that he feels “incredibly proud” of this development, stating his belief that individuals like himself have a responsibility to support this talent to the best of their ability. Despite his enduring passion for film, Aidan initially pursued a career in architecture. After completing his studies at The Mackintosh School of Architecture, he contributed to the design of structures including The Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich centre in West Belfast. His photography career gained significant momentum after he began capturing stills for local theatre companies, notably Kabosh. Following his involvement in one of the year’s most significant films, Aidan is scheduled to commence work on an Apple film in the New Year. Presently, he continues to relish the success of Gladiator II, marking the culmination of his journey from Fermanagh to a prominent position within the film industry.