Paul Mescal is stepping into the spotlight as he takes on the lead role in Gladiator II, but he didn’t reach out to Russell Crowe for advice—mostly because he wasn’t sure what to say.
In a chat with GQ, the Irish actor shared his thoughts on the sequel to the iconic 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, who is also behind the new installment.
Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Crowe’s Maximus. Set in Ancient Rome, the sequel tells Lucius’s gripping story of survival as he faces slavery and battles in the Colosseum, fighting not just for freedom but also to challenge the city’s oppressive rulers.
Crowe’s portrayal of Maximus was a pivotal moment for his career, earning him an Academy Award. Mescal recognizes that comparisons to Crowe are inevitable, but he believes both actors have made a name larger than a single role.
“I think it’s a mistake to think, ‘This was Russell’s thing,’” Mescal noted. “He’s proven himself multiple times, and his legacy isn’t solely tied to Gladiator.
Rising to fame through the series Normal People, Mescal acknowledged the weight of leading a major Hollywood film. “I know Gladiator is the biggest public responsibility I’ve taken on, but I’ve built a strong foundation for my career, so it’s not everything to me.”
Gladiator II boasts a stellar cast that includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things. Connie Nielsen returns as Lucilla, Lucius’s mother and Maximus’s love interest.
Washington portrays Macrinus, a former slave turned arms dealer managing gladiators, while Pascal is set to play Marcus Acacius, a Roman general who trained under Maximus and aims to seize North Africa with his army.
The film will hit U.S. theaters on November 22, just a week after its premiere in the UK.