Paul Mescal, the breakout star of the hit series Normal People, is set to take on a new challenge as the lead in the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel. The actor recently revealed his first interaction with co-star Pedro Pascal and why the thought of the Ridley Scott-directed film has him feeling “stressed.”
Mescal recounted a chance encounter with Pascal at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). He described Pascal as “genuine” but admitted that he was “too afraid” to approach him at the time. Despite his initial hesitation, Mescal expressed excitement about working with Pascal and looked forward to getting to know him better.
While filming for the Gladiator sequel has temporarily halted due to the ongoing actors strike, Mescal admitted to feeling nervous about keeping the plot under wraps. When asked about the film’s storyline, Mescal responded, “I can’t get into that! I can’t tell you how stressed I am talking about that film in particular because it’s definitely the biggest one I’ve done.”
Mescal acknowledged the weight of following in the footsteps of the original 2000 film, which starred Russell Crowe. He described the script as well-written and as paying homage to the first film. However, Mescal expressed his belief that he could confidently make the role of Lucius his own.
Despite taking on the same franchise, Mescal revealed that he had not yet spoken to Russell Crowe, who played the iconic role of Maximus in the original Gladiator. Mescal expressed curiosity about Crowe’s experience on set but also recognized that their characters were “totally separate.” He admitted that he didn’t know what they would talk about.
Preparing for the Gladiator sequel has been a significant undertaking for Mescal. The actor reflected on the magnitude of the film and the pressure he feels to live up to its legacy. However, he also expressed genuine excitement about the project and expressed his confidence in the script and his ability to make the role his own.
Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius in the much-anticipated Gladiator sequel is highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike. As filming resumes after the actors strike, audiences can look forward to witnessing Mescal’s talent and watch as he takes on this new challenge alongside co-star Pedro Pascal.