Visionary director Ridley Scott has long been known for his ability to cast actors who leave indelible marks on audiences. For Gladiator II, the stakes were higher than ever. How do you follow up the Oscar-winning original? Enter Paul Mescal, the breakout star from Normal People, who Scott describes as “a very sound, solid, sympathetic actor.”

Scott first noticed Mescal for his quiet intensity and likened him to acting greats like Richard Harris and Albert Finney. “He seemed a very sound, solid, and sympathetic actor. As this story in the script started to evolve, I kept thinking about him. I knew that he was a very good theater actor, which to me is a plus. Theater actors keep me honest. I tend to be very visual and move like lightning. They like to know about the story and the characters between each take.”

A Star in the Making

Playing Lucius, the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe’s iconic character from the original), Mescal had to balance emotional depth with physical ferocity. Producer Douglas Wick says the decision to cast him was a “leap of faith.” Mescal’s transformation from the sensitive lead of Normal People to a commanding gladiator wasn’t an obvious choice. But as Wick notes, “That meant we either had to find a new star or make one. It was an incredible risk on a big movie to choose an actor who’s never carried one. And our protagonist also had to be credible as an action hero. Ridley, the producers and the studio all held hands with Mescal and jumped off a cliff. We would soon discover that Paul is one of those once-in-a-generation talents who always lands on his feet.”

From Rugby to Rome

Mescal’s athletic background was another asset. Producer Lucy Fisher recalls how they asked Mescal if he had any sports experience. His answer? Irish rugby, a sport demanding grit and resilience. “were all wowed by Paul’s talent.” But they first had to check one very important thing: if Mescal played any physical sport that could help him with his journey of becoming a gladiator for the film. “We had to sheepishly ask if he had ever played any sports, hoping to see a sign that he could play a gladiator,” Fisher recalls. “When he replied ‘Irish rugby,’ which we know demands toughness and more than a little lunacy, we knew we had our man. Some might say it was a gamble, but Paul has such wisdom and depth as an actor and such clarity as a human being that it never felt like a risk. Plus, the camera loves him, as did everyone who worked with him.” 

Rigorous Preparation

Transforming into Lucius wasn’t just about looking the part. Mescal dove into intensive training with Tim Blakeley of Media Physiques, perfecting swordsmanship and enduring grueling workouts. Mescal describes the preparation as pivotal: “There were all kinds of practical elements,” he says. “I was going to the gym, weight training, running, eating a certain way, all of these things. The training was something I could grab onto with both hands during prep. Ridley’s only interest is the talent for which he hired us. You’ve got to just step into it.”

A Career-Defining Role

At just 28, Mescal’s resume is already dazzling: an Olivier Award for A Streetcar Named Desire and an Oscar nomination for Aftersun. But starring in a Ridley Scott epic? “pinch-me moment.” “Ridley Scott’s a king in cinema and especially this genre,” the actor says. “When Ridley comes knocking, you just say yes. It’s definitely been a career highlight for me to watch the way the master’s brain works. And he was incredibly generous about sharing his knowledge and talent with me.” 

As Mescal reflects on the legacy of Gladiator, he acknowledges the gravity of the role: “It holds a huge amount of weight for a vast number of people across the world. And the scale of it is huge. It’s not like any other role I’ve played. Going from independent features to a blockbuster studio picture was intimidating until I realized that acting is acting is acting, regardless of the context.”

Experience the epic journey in Gladiator II, opening in cinemas on December 4. Stay connected: use the hashtag #GladiatorII and tag @paramountpicsph to join the conversation.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures”}