Paul Mescal takes on lead role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel – report

Irish actor Paul Mescal has reportedly been cast in the lead role for the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.

eadline is reporting that Mescal (26) is in talks to star in the second season of the Oscar-winning film, and that Ridley Scott will also return to direct and produce.

Gladiator has won five Academy Awards and was nominated for 12 in 2000, and taking on the lead role is sure to be the biggest role in Mescal’s massive growth since starring in The Ordinary in 2000. 2020.

Scott has started meeting up with promising actors for the lead role in recent months, and Deadline reports that while the acclaimed director has met other talent after Mescal, it’s clear the Kildare native is the pick. His top pick after a meeting between the two was described as “wonderful”.

Paul is said to be playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla, the love interest of Russell Crowe in the original, as the sequel will be set years after Maximus Decimus Meridius’s post-battle ending in the Colosseum.

While Mescal’s deal is still not 100% guaranteed, sources told Deadline that the Paramount developers already have their people.

Reportedly, other actors pursuing the part include Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden and Timothée Chalamet.

Scott confirmed last year that a script was already written, saying it was “a good, reasonable place to go” and added: “there are enough ingredients from the first season to pick up the ball and move on.” it”.

The sequel will come out almost a quarter of a century after the first took in $460 million at the box office.

Mescal was spotted enjoying a cup of coffee with Angelina Jolie in London last week.

The couple met after Jolie watched Mescal perform at the Almeida Theater in A Streetcar Named Desire.

They were photographed at the theater’s cafe after the show and were joined by Jolie’s daughter, Shiloh (16), whom she shares with Brad Pitt.

Mescal plays Stanley Kowalski in the play Tennessee Williams until February 4.

It comes after rumors that Mescal and American singer Phoebe Bridgers had ended their relationship.