Paul Mescal Reveals Director Ridley Scott Gave Him THIS Crucial Advice While Filming Upcoming Movie Gladiator II: ‘I Think I Was Consciously…’

As an ardent fan, I can hardly contain my excitement for Paul Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius Verus in Gladiator II! Having grown up watching the original 2000 film and being deeply moved by Russell Crowe’s iconic performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius, it’s a dream come true to see the talented Mescal take on this new role.


Actor Paul Mescal is gearing up to enthrall audiences with his character as Lucius Verus, son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, in Ridley Scott‘s upcoming historical action epic Gladiator II. Just before filming commenced, Mescal received crucial guidance from director Scott, which helped him overcome his apprehensions. The young actor admitted that he initially found the grand scale of the movie production daunting, with vast numbers of extras and intricate sets. Keep reading for more fascinating insights!

In a recent interview with Total Film, Paul Mescal opened up about his experience filming his highly anticipated movie Gladiator II. During his candid conversation, the actor also shared his initial reaction when he went on the set and revealed what advice he received from film director Ridley Scott.

On the initial day, Mescal expressed his amazement upon seeing around two hundred to a thousand backing artists and extras, with fires ablaze and the majestic walls of Morocco in the background. He exclaimed, “Wow – this is truly monumental!

Before we even began shooting, the actor shared that Scott had told him, “However, your anxiety isn’t what I need from you before filming starts.” Essentially, this is a classic Ridley Scott attitude, but it’s incredibly freeing to hear. He’s absolutely correct in saying so.

As reported by Deadline, the upcoming film Gladiator 2 focuses on an adult Lucius character, portrayed by Mescal. This character leads a peaceful life with his family in Numidia, but their tranquility is disrupted when General Marcus Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, launches an attack on the city. As a result of this invasion, Lucius ends up enslaved. However, instead of succumbing to his fate, he decides to use his new role as a gladiator as a means to challenge the rule of Emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).

Paul Mescal recognizes that it’s only natural for comparisons to Russell Crowe as Maximus from the 2000 film to arise, considering the legendary impact of Crowe’s character. Yet, he emphasized that Crowe’s portrayal is truly unique and incomparable. Instead, Mescal aims to create a separate identity for his character, Lucius.

He remarked, “I think the legacy he’s left with that first film is extraordinary. I think I was consciously trying to get out of my head, like, the projections that people might have of what this film means.”

The actor shared that he chose not to watch the initial movie after getting the role, but eventually watched it with friends on New Year’s Day. He expressed that the experience was “incredible”. Furthermore, he mentioned that there wasn’t much benefit in studying it beforehand since the character was distinct.

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2024-10-08 12:56