Paul Mescal says Ridley Scott is “king” and confirms ‘Gladiator 2’ is finished
The actor Paul Mescal has declared that director Ridley Scott is a “king” ahead of the release of the long-awaited sequel Gladiator 2, which he confirms has finished production.
Playing the lead character in Scott’s sequel to his ‘Best Picture’ winner, Mescal is due to appear as Lucius, son of Maximus’ love Lucilla, with Connie Nielsen returning to her role from the 2000 film. Being billed as one of the most highly-anticipated movies of the year, Mescal is joined in the stellar ensemble alongside the likes of Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Derek Jacobi.
Mescal revealed more information about the movie in an interview while on the Bafta red carpet, stating: “Ridley’s doing his editing and everything…it was an absolute honour, Ridley is the king, especially in that format, that scale of film… I’m incredibly proud of the work we did together”.
Providing a little more detail on the movie, he addresses Ridley Scott’s statement that Mescal’s character will fight baboons in the forthcoming film. “Well, Ridley’s said that I fight baboons, so I’m not going to get in trouble for that! Unless it’s on the cutting room floor”.
Mescal is attending the Baftas in the hopes that he might take home the award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his performance in the British indie hit All of Us Strangers.
Telling the story of a screenwriter who, while suffering from writer’s block, heads back to his old family home only to come across the ghosts of his long-deceased parents, All of Us Strangers is nominated for six Baftas. Directed by British filmmaker Andrew Haigh, the film stars Andrew Scott alongside Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, with Foy also up for a major award at the Baftas.
Take a look at a clip of Mescal in All of Us Strangers below while we await the release of Gladiator 2 later this year.
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