Paul Mescal Lands Role in Gladiator II After Quick Zoom Call

Irish actor Paul Mescal recently shared that he was cast in Gladiator II following a brief 30-minute Zoom conversation with renowned director Ridley Scott. The sequel to the iconic 2000 film is set to release next month, and Mescal will star alongside Denzel Washington in what promises to be a highly anticipated continuation of the story.

During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Mescal recounted the casting process with a mix of humor and surprise. “Ridley does not waste time,” he joked, emphasizing the director’s efficiency. “I thought there would be camera tests and auditions, but we Zoomed for half an hour, spent about ten minutes discussing the part, and then talked for twenty minutes about Gaelic football, his dog, and his wife.” After that initial conversation, Mescal was pleasantly surprised to receive a call weeks later offering him the role.

It’s clear that by the time Mescal had his Zoom meeting with Scott, the director and the studio were already well aware of his talents. Mescal rose to prominence in 2020 with his performance in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People, which became a breakout hit during the early days of the pandemic lockdown. Since then, he has showcased his acting range in films like All of Us Strangers, Foe, and The Lost Daughter, earning an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 2022 film Aftersun.

In Gladiator II, Mescal portrays Lucius, the grandson of the Roman emperor played by Richard Harris in the original film. The character finds himself thrust into a brutal existence, forced into slavery after an invasion by Roman soldiers. Mescal’s journey in the film involves fighting in the Colosseum as a gladiator, all in a bid to restore Rome’s former glory.

Preparing for such a physically demanding role required a rigorous training regimen. Mescal humorously detailed his approach to getting into shape, saying, “I ate a lot of chicken and lifted heavy things.” He worked closely with a trainer who, as Mescal described, “circled me like a shark,” pushing him to his limits every day. “It was fun,” he added, highlighting the intensity of the training process.

Conversely, fellow guest Eddie Redmayne, who was also on the show promoting his own project, had a different take on physical training. Redmayne jested about his experience preparing for The Day of the Jackal, stating, “I profoundly disagree with Paul—it was not fun; it was horrendous.” Their banter showcased the varying experiences actors have while preparing for physically demanding roles.

The original Gladiator film made a remarkable $465 million globally and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe. This legacy adds to the excitement and pressure surrounding the sequel, as fans eagerly await how Mescal and the new cast will carry the torch.

Mescal’s segment on The Graham Norton Show is set to air on Friday at 10:40 PM on BBC One and iPlayer, offering viewers more insights into his journey from a breakout star to leading roles in major films. As anticipation builds for Gladiator II, fans are eager to see how Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius will resonate with audiences and critics alike. With Ridley Scott at the helm and a talented cast alongside him, the film is poised to make a significant impact in theaters.