Ridley Scott Urges Paul Mescal to Conquer His Nerves in "Gladiator II" Journey
Paul Mescal, the lead actor in the highly anticipated Gladiator II , recently opened up about how legendary director Ridley Scott encouraged him to leave his nerves behind as they embarked on the project. According to Mescal, Scott’s straightforward approach was both unexpected and refreshing. The first thing the director told him was, “Your nerves are no fucking good to me,” which, in Mescal’s words, perfectly captured Scott’s no-nonsense attitude. The bluntness may have been jarring, but it liberated Mescal, helping him step into the immense shoes of this role without being burdened by anxiety.
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The scale of Gladiator II is undeniably massive. On the first day of production, Mescal found himself surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of extras, fires burning, and the imposing walls of Morocco as the backdrop. The sheer scope of it hit him, and he realized just how monumental the project was. The movie revisits the iconic setting of the original Gladiator , with many of the sets reconstructed to bring the world back to life. Set 20 years after the events of the 2000 classic, Gladiator II follows the story of Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus.
Interestingly, despite being part of such a legendary franchise, Mescal didn’t feel the need to dive deep into studying the first film. He admitted that he only re-watched Gladiator after being cast, just to experience it with friends. Since his character, Lucius, is very different from Crowe’s Maximus, Mescal felt there was little to gain from extensive comparisons. Crowe’s Oscar-winning performance certainly left a huge legacy, but Mescal was keen on not letting others’ expectations weigh him down. He wanted to make the role of Lucius distinctly his own, while still honoring the film's powerful heritage.
Mescal has admitted feeling the pressure, calling Gladiator II the biggest project he’s ever been a part of. With the original film being such a monumental success, the legacy looms large. Still, Mescal expressed excitement about stepping into this role and believes that the film is well-written, paying homage to its predecessor while carving out a unique space of its own. He hopes to make the role of Lucius something he can fully own, despite the inevitable comparisons to the original.
Reflecting on his rising fame, Mescal mentioned that Gladiator II could be a major turning point in his career, but he’s not sure how he’ll handle the inevitable spotlight. While he knows that the film’s release will bring more attention, he’s not exactly looking forward to being recognized on the street more often. Mescal even joked about the prospect of fame, saying that if it significantly alters his life, he might find himself in a “bad spot.” Only time will tell how the monumental release of Gladiator II will shape both his career and his life.
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