Paul Mescal Shares his Experience with Denzel Washington on the Set of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2

Paul Mescal recently shared his amusing and memorable first interaction with Denzel Washington on the set of Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott’s much-anticipated sequel to his 2000 epic. In an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Mescal admitted that his nerves about meeting Denzel Washington, a screen icon and Oscar-winning actor, initially got the better of him. On their first day of filming together, Mescal waited at the steps of Washington’s dressing area, trying to muster the courage to introduce himself. However, he changed his mind after a few minutes and decided to ʼthe next day instead.

When they finally met, Denzel Washington extended a handshake and humorously remarked, “Stop working out, man,” as a nod to Mescal’s rigorous training to portray Lucius Verus, the story’s protagonist. Mescal has since shared the intense workout journey he undertook for the role, which involved heavy lifting and a diet focused on “a lot of chicken,” yet admitted he drew the line at giving up smoking and alcohol.

In Gladiator 2, Mescal plays Lucius Verus, a young man taken prisoner by the Roman army who is forced into the gladiatorial arena. Washington joins the cast as Macrinus, a former slave who hopes to leverage Lucius in his plan to take control of Rome. The film marks the first time these two actors have worked together, adding a fresh dynamic to the story’s new twist on the gladiatorial narrative.

Interestingly, Paul Mescal was offered the role after a mere 30-minute Zoom call with Ridley Scott. In the conversation, they spent about ten minutes discussing the character and the remaining twenty chatting casually about Gaelic football, Scott’s dog, and other light topics, according to Mescal. The ease of the casting process surprised Mescal, who expected multiple auditions and screen tests.

The casting decision reportedly stemmed partly from Mescal’s physicality, showcased in his performance as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire on London’s West End. Paramount executives noted that the shirtless scenes in Streetcar highlighted Mescal’s stage presence, convincing them he was ideal for the role of Lucius.

As Gladiator 2 gears up for its UK release on November 15, early reviews are positive, especially for Washington’s performance, which some critics suggest could garner him another Oscar nod. The film will open in the US on November 22, with fans eagerly awaiting this new chapter from Scott’s cinematic vision of ancient Rome. Watch the trailer here –