Paul Mescal Says His Body Was “Very Useful” For ‘Gladiator 2’

Paul Mescal has an unexpected reason to be grateful for his crooked nose. Despite resenting its shape for most of his life, his nose helped him land the leading role in the highly anticipated ‘Gladiator 2.’

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Mescal revealed that his nose was a key factor in securing the part. “My nose just is kind of Roman. So it’s useful in this context,” he said. He also reminisced about how he “absolutely hated” his nose in secondary school and was often teased for it. However, he is now glad that it turned out to be “very, very useful when Ridley needed somebody to be in Gladiator II.”

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The sequel to the action epic franchise, originally starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, will centre around Lucius, portrayed by Mescal. Lucius is the son of Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as the daughter of Marcus Aurelius. Despite being the legitimate heir to one of the most powerful Roman Emperors, Lucius’s mother sends him to the civilisation of Numidia on the northern coast of Africa to protect him from the corruption of Roman society.

However, he is ultimately found during a man-hunt led by Roman forces under General Marcus Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, and brought to the Gladiator arena to fight. Only time will tell if he survives the battle or perishes like Maximus.

Stepping into the shoes of Crowe’s Oscar-winning performance is no small feat. Yet, Mescal’s co-star, Pascal, warns people not to underestimate the young actor’s talents and physical prowess. “It’s brutal, man. I call him Brick Wall Paul,” Pascal told Vanity Fair.

He joked that he would rather jump off a tall building than fight with Mescal. “To go up against somebody that fit and that talented and that much younger…,” he said before adding that apart from director Ridley Scott, it was Mescal who got him on board for the project.

The cast of ‘Gladiator II’ also includes Denzel Washington, ‘The White Lotus’ actor Fred Hechinger, and ‘Stranger Things’ fame Joseph Quinn. ‘Gladiator II’ is set to hit theatres on 22 November 2024.