Paul Mescal discusses the high stakes surrounding Gladiator 2’s success, citing its impact on Hollywood’s box office revival.

No amount of talent, storyline, money, or fame can guarantee the success of a film. This is a simple truth universally acknowledged in the film industry. But Paul Mescal seems to be betting on just that as he gears up for the release of his first ‘big film,’ which could either make or delay his meteoric rise to fame, to say the least.

Paul Mescal as Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in Gladiator 2 | Credit: Paramount Pictures

The star of Gladiator 2, the film has some big shoes to fill, given the time it took to make and the talent involved. And Mescal is hoping it does so and more, for according to him, a lot is at stake here than just box office numbers.

Paul Mescal Hopes Gladiator 2 is a Success for the Sake of the Box Office

Credits: Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 / Paramount Pictures

The stunning, tall, blue-eyed Irishman Paul Mescal first rose to fame in 2020, with his role in the miniseries Normal People. Since then, his rise to fame has been a one-way street with projects like All of Us Strangers and Aftersun taking him at the forefront of the spotlight.

However, the real test of his fan power would be the upcoming flick, Gladiator 2, the sequel to a film that many believe to be one of the greatest historical fiction films ever to have been made. Helmed by Ridley Scott and having a powerhouse of a supporting cast like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, the real responsibility lies on Mescal.

Starring as Lucius, the son of Maximus and the former heir to the Roman Empire, Mescal will experience the real taste of success or failure when the historical drama epic finally releases. And he sincerely hopes it is the former, not just for his sake but for the sake of the box office as well.

I do feel the pressure, and I do feel the desire for this to make money. The box office needs a shot in the arm, and if films like ‘Gladiator II’ aren’t doing it, it would be concerning. So I do feel a responsibility.

States Mescal in a new interview with Variety. While the Foe star is not wrong, the film must rather perform better for its own sake given its massive budget of $250 million-plus. For the film to be a success, it will need to gross more than $600 million, a figure that even ‘box-office’ dominating superhero flicks have been struggling to make.

Paul Mescal’s Normal People Landed Him Gladiator 2

Paul Mescal in a still from Normal People | Credit: Hulu

While making a film like Gladiator 2, one would think it would be wiser to cast an actor in the lead who has a proven box office track record, a loyal fan base, as well as the power to draw in audiences to the theatres. Yet, Ridley Scott decided to cast Paul Mescal, a relatively lesser-known figure when compared to several of his contemporaries.

Although Mescal’s ‘Roman-esque’ looks, charm, and those alluring blue eyes certainly make him a delightful choice (not to mention his acting genius!), it was his role in Normal People that caught the fancy of Scott.

The leading guy immediately caught my attention. From then on he was in the forefront of my mind.

States the cinematic legend to Variety, while comparing his new lead to stalwarts like Richard Harris. However, Scott wasn’t the only one pinning for him, for Paramount too had his eyes on him. Before he knew it, Paul Mescal was cast as Lucius, that too without an audition.

Given how the role was ‘made’ for him in a way, the film’s legacy, the sky-high fan expectations, and an even towering budget, we hope Gladiator 2 is as much of a great film as Paul Mescal thinks it is and more.

Gladiator will be in theatres on November 22, 2024.