Paul Mescal Reveals Which 'Gladiator 2' Scene Had Him "Borderline Throwing Up"
It’s time to sound the alarms because Gladiator 2 will be hitting theaters right before Thanksgiving, and it’s the true Roman Empire we’ve been waiting for! We saw Russell Crowe’s character Maximus boldly reclaim his legacy in the first Gladiator, but the sequel will follow another character’s storyline. It’s one of our most-anticipated 2024 movies and we can’t wait to dish about all the important details you need to know!
Get your popcorn and one of our delicious cocktail recipes ready because you’re in for a real treat!Watch The New 'Gladiator 2' Trailer Now
Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington, and Paul Mescal are absolute electricity together! And the use of "No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z and Ye? My jaw literally dropped.
The only question I have is can these three powerhouses form an alliance that'll change the future in Gladiator 2? No matter the outcome, there's sure to be sizzling action...and bodies. And by sizzling, I really mean it. Paul just revealed in an interview with EW that his arena scene, which will feature a CGI rhino, was so hot, he was "borderline throwing up."
"We shot that for about two or three days, but the heat was just….My Irish blood does not function with Ridley's shooting schedule, which is like sun up to sun down, hottest parts of the day," he says. "It was brutal, the fight. I grew up playing sports, so I would consider myself pretty robust and happy to throw myself around, but it was just the [arena] itself became like a radiator. I was borderline throwing up, irritable, just hardcore. Between takes I was firing ice straight down my back."
Pedro Pascal also recalled a few memorable moments from shooting the film, and my personal favorite was what sounds like the greatest blooper of all time. "I was running off the drawbridge, and they kind of dressed it with some dust so that when it slams against the fortified wall, there's a big puff of smoke, of dust," he says. "And I'm charging off the drawbridge and jumping over the wall, and I slip,. I literally bounce off the drawbridge on my —ss and land splat in front of Paul's feet on the first take." And in true Pedro fashion, he followed up with, "Are you not entertained?"
"There was a moment when we were rehearsing my fight scene with Pedro, and I had an idea towards the end of the scene to kiss Pedro on the forehead," Paul adds, referencing a cut scene. "I was like, 'Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yay or nay?' There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back, and [Ridley] goes, 'I'm afraid I did.'"
Your First Look At Paul Mescal In 'Gladiator 2'
Paramount Pictures
The first look at Paul Mescal's character Lucius features our new lead ready for battle. All I have to say is wherever Paul leads, I follow.
What is the plot for Gladiator 2?
Paramount Pictures
Gladiator 2 Plot
Keeping true to the characters the first film introduced, Gladiator 2 will focus on Paul Mescal's Lucius. He's a gladiator who's been exiled to fight — similar to Maxmius' fate — and hasn't seen his mother Lucila in over a decade.USA Todayalso reports there'll be a nod to Maximus as young Lucius has great respect for the legacy he left behind.
When is Gladiator 2 coming out?
Paramount Pictures
Gladiator 2 Release Date
Gladiator 2 will premiere in theaters November 22, 2024. Check out the rest of this year's fall movies to see what else is coming this year.
Who will play Lucius in Gladiator 2?
Paramount Pictures
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator 2.
Who else is in the Gladiator 2 cast?
Paramount Pictures
Gladiator 2 Cast
The Gladiator 2 cast also features Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Lucius' mother, Fred Hechinger (from The White Lotus) as Co-Emperor Caracalla, Joseph Quinn (from Stranger Things Season 4) as Co-Emperor Geta, Pedro Pascal (from The Last of Us) as General Marcus Acacius, and Denzel Washington as the wealthy and powerful Macrinus, who oversees the gladiators.
Who's directing Gladiator 2 and can we expect a lot of action?
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
We're happy to share that director Ridley Scott will once again make the script of Gladiator 2 come alive for viewers. Aside from directing the first film, this is the same genius who gave us other cult classics like the Alien franchise, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Hannibal, and so much more!
Given Ridley Scott's proven film record — and the new trailer — we'll definitely see some action! Variety reports he said, “It is possibly even more extraordinary than the first...well worth the wait.”
He also hinted that he has Gladiator 3 on his mind. "There’s already an idea," he said and even referenced The Godfather II as prime inspiration for it (via The Hollywood Reporter).
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This post has been updated.
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