Paul Mescal Opens Up On Getting Nervous Before First Meeting With Denzel Washington On Gladiator II Set: ‘I Bailed Out’

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for personal growth and self-expression, I find Paul Mescal’s experience with Denzel Washington on the set of Gladiator II to be both inspiring and relatable. It is not uncommon to feel a mix of excitement and fear when encountering a legendary figure like Denzel Washington in real life.


Lately, Paul Mescal revealed his initial apprehension when he attempted to greet Denzel Washington on the set of Gladiator II. On The Graham Norton Show, he discussed his enthusiasm about almost speaking to the Academy Award recipient, but freezing up just beforehand.

On the day when I was truly collaborating with Denzel, he was perched high above, while I was grappling with some monkeys or so. By the close of the day, I felt compelled to ascend and make acquaintance with Denzel.

With a sense of bravery, Mescal approached the stairs for his self-introduction at dusk, but suddenly felt anxious and lost courage. He retreated to his dressing room, vowing to be bolder tomorrow.

Oh boy, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing when he confessed, “I stayed there for a couple of moments, then I exclaimed, ‘Not today!’ So I swiftly made my escape and dashed towards my private space – thinking tomorrow I’d gather courage and be more daring.

The next morning, Mescal remained steadfast, choosing to stand at the foot of the stairs, anticipating Washington’s descent. It was a tense and uncomfortable situation, but Washington attempted to alleviate the tension at first by jokingly advising Mescal to skip his gym sessions.

He remarked, “Denzel strolled by, and I couldn’t help but think, ‘Here we go again.’ He then shook my hand, and the experience was truly exceptional. He gazed at me intently for quite a while before saying, ‘Take it easy with your workouts, buddy.’

In his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mescal expressed that it was captivating to collaborate with Washington and Scott on such a grand production, as Washington praised Mescal’s abilities by likening his performance to Russell Crowe in Gladiator for its equal brilliance.

Despite that, he expressed a strong optimism about more projects following Gladiator II. He also shared his ambition to continue achieving and stated his unwillingness to stop working after this film. The upcoming Gladiator II, featuring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen, is set to hit theaters on November 22.

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2024-10-27 14:09