Paul Mescal is one of the most respected young actors working today. He’s appeared in a number of beloved indie films and TV series. He’s been nominated for all the awards. But he has yet to make the leap into big tentpole blockbusters. Until “Gladiator II” came his way. That said, he was offered others before, but nothing felt right for him.
Speaking in a new profile on Variety, Paul Mescal explained why he turned down “other quite big studio, franchise-y” films and said yes to Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” The short answer is because it’s Ridley Scott and it felt right.
“I wasn’t like, ‘I need to do this.’ It was really just Ridley and ‘Gladiator,’ and I felt like I was ripe for this kind of big film,” Mescal said. “I played sports growing up; I know what it is to throw myself around. I look Roman. All of those things. And it’s Ridley Scott!”
Of course, Mescal won’t talk about the projects that he turned down. Was he offered a superhero role? Perhaps he was offered some sort of high-profile sequel? We have no idea right now. But if “Gladiator II” is a huge hit and Mescal becomes a household name, perhaps his mind will change and we’ll see the actor do more blockbusters.
As of now, if you want to see Mescal do something huge, then “Gladiator II” is your chance. And if you’re holding out for when he puts on some sort of superhero tights, then you may be waiting a long, long time.
