The first trailer has dropped for the much-anticipated 'Gladiator II' starring Paul Mescal.
The Maynooth man will play Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s love interest Lucilla in the original 'Gladiator' movie. Director Ridley Scott returns for the sequel set years after the original took place. Mescal stars alongside Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Ridley Scott said it was through Mescal's role in 'Normal People' that he discovered him. "When I watch anything, I tend to be clocking who’s interesting. It’s just in my DNA.
"And so, watching a TV show that’s not really my kind of TV show almost four years ago, I said, 'Who’s this guy?’"
Scott arranged a Zoom with Mescal while the actor was performing 'A Streetcar Named Desire' in London. "I met with him and he said, ‘Of course, I’d love to do it.’ And that was it," Scott said. "We were away and running with the ball. He was a special find. He was absolutely perfect."
You can see Paul Mescal in full gladiator mode in the trailer below:
