Gladiator IIis the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s blockbuster 2000 dramaGladiator. Set over 20 years after the events of the first film, the sequel appears to be a return to the action, drama, and scope that made its predecessor so beloved. The movie’s cast includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen, the latter of whom also appeared in the original.
Though the cast is stacked with well-known actors, the centralGladiator IIcharacteris Lucius Verus played by relative newcomer Paul Mescal. Mescal featured in his first full-length film as recently as 2021 but has already garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor thanks to a starring role in the dramaAftersun.InGladiator II, Mescal brings his prowess to bear as the adult version of a child introduced in the first movie.
Why Gladiator 2’s Paul Mescal Didn’t Contact Original Franchise Star Russell Crowe For Advice
Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius in Gladiator 2, explains why he didn’t reach out to Maximus actor Russell Crowe for advice for the Ridley Scott sequel.
Screen Rantspoke with Paul Mescal about his role as Lucius Verus inGladiator II. Mescal touched on the physical regimen that helped him to get in fighting shape for the film, bringing to lifereal-world historicalfigures and locations, and working with Ridley Scott. Mescal also teased a special moment toward the end of the film.
Paul Mescal Talks Working With Ridley Scott And Getting Transported To Ancient Rome
The Actor Followed The “Language Of Performance” Established By The First Gladiator
Screen Rant: Almost 25 years ago, I sawGladiator—the first one—and I was blown away. It’s the first DVD I owned, and when this film was announced, I thought, “How are they going to do that?” Then, I watched the movie, and I was like, “Holy crap. They nailed it.” How did the originalGladiatorfilm influence your portrayal of Lucius, both as a character and a part of this legendary franchise?
Paul Mescal: The first film influenced me because it sets up the language of performance. That’s kind of the canvas for the actors, both in the first film and the second film, and it’s a wonderful canvas to work from. And what was great about the second one is that it operates inside the same world, but the Roman Empire is moved 24 years down the line, so it feels like there’s a fresh opportunity to lay a marker down as an actor and also with the characters at the center of the story.
What kind of research or physical training did you undertake to accurately capture the historical context and physicality of your role?
Paul Mescal: I know this sounds boring, but it was pretty standard. It was kind of what you would expect it would be. It was gym training, running, sword training, [and] horse riding. It was fun. It requires a lot of discipline and a lot of kind of focus, but it’s great fun. And I like history, so it was also enjoyable to kind of go into what that period of time was like, specifically, in the Roman Empire.
Paul Mescal Considers The Pressure That Accompanied The First Gladiator’s Success
“There’s a natural nervousness and a desire to deliver, but that’s true of anything.”
Considering the success of the originalGladiator, did you feel any pressure stepping into the role for the sequel?
Paul Mescal: Yes and no. Because it was Ridley at the center of both of those stories and he directed the first one with such brilliance, the fact that he was behind the camera on this filled me with confidence. Of course, there’s a natural nervousness and a desire to deliver, but that’s true of anything, regardless of a legacy of a film that’s preceded yours.
Speaking of Ridley, he’s such an incredible filmmaker. He is a legendary filmmaker. What was it like working with Ridley Scott, and how did his visual and fast-paced directing style complement or challenge your acting process?
Paul Mescal: I’ve never worked with anybody like him in terms of style. It’s super-fast. It feels like how it felt like when I was playing sports. You’re exercising different muscles, and I think, as a result… anybody who’s seen any of my work that’s preceded this [knows] it’s a very different performance. Which… of course it is, because it’s a different style of direction, and he’s just, as you said, a legend and will be remembered as such.
This film transports you right back in time. Was there a moment on set, especially in that Colosseum set, where you were there, and [it] just felt like you were just completely transported back 2,000 years ago?
Paul Mescal: Without giving anything away, the final shot of the film was pretty special. I don’t want to go any further, but that felt… the focus is totally on that character, and I think it’s a really elegant end to the film.
More About Gladiator II (2024)
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal starring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
