Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning Gladiator is nearing its release date and has already generated a lot of discussion online. Gladiator 2 will see Paul Mescal play an adult version of Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla. The film’s all-star cast also includes Pedro Pascal, who plays Marcus Acacius, and two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington. In a recent conversation, Mescal spoke candidly about his experiences with Washington.
Gladiator II | Making Of An Epic (2024) – Ridley Scott, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington
Paul Mescal recently revealed that he was impressed with the idea of starring opposite Denzel Washington in Gladiator 2.
The Normal People star opened up about what it was like to star alongside an actor as iconic as Washington during an interview with GQ . "I built it up in my head," Mescal said, describing his state before filming his scenes. "I was like, 'Okay, today is the day Denzel comes on set.' And I was so paralyzed by it that I was suddenly like, 'This is so fucking stupid. I have to do a job.'"
Denzel Washington responded in a similar vein, praising Paul Mescal for his work in Gladiator 2. "He knows how to do it. It's easy to work off of him because he gives you something," the star of The Equalizer said. "He has a quiet dignity and a strength and intelligence, even when he's standing there."
