Ridley Scott Gave a Hilarious Pep Talk to Paul Mescal Before Filming ‘Gladiator II’
For Paul Mescal, every moment of filming Gladiator II was challenging in its own unique way. From the movie’s $250 million budget to acting with Hollywood icons, the 28-year-old faced novel circumstances that stretched his abilities. The moment that broke the tension for Mescal was when he received some dryly delivered advice from director Ridley Scott.
The epic sequel set in Ancient Rome might be Scott’s biggest undertaking yet. The esteemed director spoke with Mescal after being impressed by his performance in the romantic drama miniseries Normal People. Mescal spent the conversation trying to prove his physicality, an absolute necessity for a film that promises to be “bigger, rawer, and more violent than the original,” according to GQ. After Mescal signed on, he learned he’d be working with Denzel Washington.
In Gladiator II, Mescal portrays Lucius. Fans first saw the Irish actor’s character in the original Gladiator as the 12-year-old son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). Now, grown-up Lucius is a gladiator working for Macrinus (Washington), a wealthy arms dealer who will do whatever it takes to become emperor. Set more than 20 years after the death of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, the sequel follows Lucius into battle at the famed Colosseum.
Mescal was intimidated to work with a legend like Washington. “I built it up in my head,” he told GQ. But he realized, “I have a job to do.” Another intimidating element of filming Gladiator II was acting in a full-scale Colosseum (set in Rome but actually located in Malta, Spain). When Mescal entered the arena, “he nearly died,” according to Scott. “He didn’t realize it was going to be so big.”
Before shooting began, Mescal received some humorous advice from Scott. The Alien director told him, “Just remember your nerves are no good to me.” In the end, it sounds like Mescal delivered. He added 18 pounds of muscle to his compact frame and overcame his nerves regarding acting with Washington and other stars. Denzel told GQ, “[Paul] knows what he’s doing; he knows how to do it. It’s easy to work off of him because he’s giving you something. There’s a quiet dignity and a strength and intelligence that he has, even just when he’s standing there.”
Gladiator II isn’t available to watch in U.S. theaters until November 22, 2024. But reviews are in from critics, like Awards Watch’s Erik Anderson, who posted on X.com, “GLADIATOR II is a true epic and Ridley Scott’s best in years. Paul Mescal is a great action star without sacrificing his indie grit, a worthy heir to the throne. Denzel Washington EATS every line and costume without ever overplaying.”
The Telegraph‘s Ed Power even wrote, “The consensus is that the sequel to Scott’s Oscar-slaying 2000 sword-and-sandal epic merits two thumbs up. There is even chatter of possible Academy Awards contention — with Denzel Washington singled out for his role as Macrinus.”
