Paul Mescal has revealed that he loved training for Gladiator 2 despite how physically grueling it was.
The 28-year-old Irish actor, due for release later this year, takes on the role of the Roman Empire’s Lucius Verus, the adult son of Lucilla, played as a child in the original Oscar-winning 2000 film starring Russell Crowe.
And speaking in a new interview on Capital Radio with Jordan North on Tuesday, Paul said the brutal schedule and physical nature of filming was simply a “first world problem”.
Jordan asked him about his preparation for the blockbuster: “Was it a tough, brutal schedule or was it okay when you could eat whatever you wanted?”
Paul replied: “It’s a first world problem. I had all the comforts at my disposal. I had a great coach. I had people telling me what to eat and when.”
Paul Mescal has revealed that he ‘loved’ training for Gladiator 2 despite how physically exhausting it was
The 28-year-old Irish actor, who is due for release later this year, takes on the role of Lucius Verus, Lucilla’s adult son, played as a child in the original Oscar-winning 2000 film starring Russell Crowe.
“I think it’s just a consequence. You have to train a lot to be in a movie like this and, in a way, I loved it. Of course, sometimes it gets boring.”
This comes after Paul was spotted shirtless in a burlap skirt and gold cuffs on his wrists in his trailer while on the set of Gladiator 2.
The image was shared by co-star Pedro Pascal on social media on Monday. Paul plays Lucius and Pedro is Marcus Acacius.
In the shot, Paul smiles while sporting a fake scar and a light beard with his locks messy.
Pedro captioned the snapshot, alongside a poster for the film, “Come get it. #Gladiator2 November 22nd.”
Fans flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts on the photo. One user wrote: “This is a lot for a Monday,” while another chimed in: “Let’s get them dad.”
The long-awaited sequel to Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, will debut 24 years after the original historical film aired in 2000.
At that time, the original film won five Oscars from 11 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe’s portrayal of the gladiator Maximus.
And speaking in a new interview on Capital Radio with Jordan North on Tuesday, Paul said the brutal schedule and physical nature of filming was simply a “first world problem”.
Jordan asked him about his preparation for the blockbuster: “Was it a tough, brutal schedule or was it okay when you could eat whatever you wanted?”
The long-awaited sequel to Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, will debut 24 years after the original historical film aired in 2000.
Paul replied: “It’s a first world problem. I had all the comforts at my disposal. I had a great coach. People told me to eat when I ate.”
Gladiator 2 centers on the 28-year-old character, Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).
Viewers will now see Lucius as an adult, and the story will take place years after the first film ended.
Fans of the series will remember that Lucius is also the nephew of Marcus’ son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who killed his father to seize the throne.
In Gladiator, Commodus fought Maximus in the gladiator ring and was mortally wounded.
However, the warrior managed to pierce the emperor and save the young man and his mother while avenging the deaths of his own wife and son, something that had a lasting impact on Lucius.
The star-studded cast also includes Denzel Washington, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Lior Raz.
David Scarpa wrote the screenplay for the sequel, while Ridley, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Michael Pruss and David Franzoni produced the film.
Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Raymond Kirk and Aidan Elliott also serve as executive producers.
In an early look at the film, Paul sported a full suit of armor in one scene, as blood dripped down his face and dirt covered his arm.
Another image showed the Irish actor wielding a sword as he prepared for battle.
A third shot showed Pedro in the gladiator ring, in full action, as a sword came towards him.
Speaking to Vanity Fair Earlier this month, Paul described his character as “a very, very good general, which can mean a very good assassin.”
“I just wanted to be big and strong and look like someone who can do a little damage when things get tough,” he continued about preparing for the role. “I think sometimes you can, in trying to get that perfect look, end up looking more like an underwear model than a warrior.”
And getting in shape gave Paul a stronger sense of self.
“Muscles start to grow and that can be considered aesthetic in certain aspects, but there is something about feeling strong in the body that causes a different feeling. You behave differently,” said the Aftersun actor.
“It has a psychological impact on you that is useful for the film.”
Pedro also weighed in on facing off against his co-star in Gladiator 2.
“It’s brutal, man. I call him Brick Wall Paul,” the 49-year-old told the outlet.
‘He became so strong that I would rather be thrown off a building than have to fight him again.
“Going up against someone so fit, so talented and so much younger… Aside from Ridley being a total genius, Paul is one of the big reasons I would put my poor body through that experience.”
Russell Crowe played the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original and won the Oscar for Best Actor for his work in the film.
As to why Paul himself accepted the grueling role? As he put it: Another magazine In February, ‘Gladiator 2’ “He comes to your desk and there’s no way you can say no to him.”
The All of Us Strangers alum added: “But with a movie of this scale and working with Ridley Scott, there’s no doubt it’s an easy decision. So far, there have been very few big-picture movies that have even remotely interested me.”
Paul reflected: “I feel really good. And I also have the ability to learn. It’s the first time I’ve felt the pressure of ‘God, I’m worried about box office receipts.'”
“It’s a different metric, but Ridley shoots at a very different pace – he’s fast, he’s got a lot of energy and he’s wonderful. He knows exactly what he wants. Honestly, it reminds me of sport in a way that’s very satisfying.”