He’s got an epic body.
The co-head of Paramount’s motion picture group revealed Wednesday that they cast Irish heartthrob Paul Mescal in “Gladiator 2” after seeing his bare torso.
The “Normal People” actor showed the goods in the West End revival of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
“He played Stanley, and there are several moments where he takes off his shirt and it was electric,” Daria Cercek admitted to Variety. “The ladies in the audience were very vocal, and we were like, ‘I think we’ve found our guy.’ “
It was announced in January 2023 that Mescal, 27, would team up with Denzel Washington for the action film sequel.
He will play Lucius, the grandson of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) from the original “Gladiator.”
“I’m so proud I get to make it,” Mescal told The Hollywood Reporter during the 2023 Oscar season. “It’s an intimidating feat. It’s something I’m nervous about, but something I feel like I can do.”
“Of course, there’s a physical robustness required for the character,” continued Mescal. “This guy’s got to fight and got to be a beast. And whatever that looks and feels like is right for me, is what it’s going to be.”
Russell Crowe, who starred in the original “Gladiator” in 2000, revealed in April that he would not be returning to the arena a second time and is actually a little jealous of the “Aftersun” actor.
“The only thing that I really feel about it is slightly jealous, you know,” Crowe, 59, admitted to Collider.”I was a much younger man, obviously, and it was a huge experience in my life.”
“It’s something that changed my life, really. It changed the way people regarded me and what I do for a living,” added the “A Beautiful Mind” star.
Crowe won an Oscar for Best Actor in 2000 for “Gladiator,” which made an astronomical $503 million at the box office.
“I’ve been very lucky to be involved in lots of big movies,” Crowe continued. “But the legs on that film are incredible. Here it is, it’s 2023, and we made that film in 1999. I guarantee you, somewhere around the world tonight, ‘Gladiator’ is going to be showing on primetime TV.
As of now, director Ridley Scott has yet to reveal any plot points for the film. But, seeing as Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius died at the end of the original film, it was not a shock that he wouldn’t return.
On June 7, 2023 it was reported that six crew members sustained burns after a stunt for the upcoming movie went wrong.
“Several crew members experienced non-life-threatening injuries,” a Paramount spokesperson told Variety.
“The safety and full medical services teams on-site were able to act quickly so that those who were impacted immediately received necessary care. They are all in stable condition and continue to receive treatment,” Paramount’s statement continued.
No cast members, including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielsen, were reported injured.
“The well-being of the cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us, and we have strict health and safety procedures in place on all our productions. We will continue monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions as we resume production,” Paramount’s statement concluded.
“Gladiator 2” is set to do battle in theaters on November 24 2024.
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