Paul Mescal transformed his body to take on the lead role in Gladiator 2, but the Irish actor drew a firm line when it came to giving up two personal indulgences.
Despite these vices, Mescal achieved peak physical condition for the much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s iconic 2000 film.
“I ate a lot of chicken and lifted heavy things,” Mescal, 28, said during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show on October 25. The actor worked closely with a personal trainer, who helped him bulk up for the physically demanding role.
“He circled me like a shark and said, ‘There’s a canvas to work with,’” Mescal joked. “He went to town, and I saw him every day. It was fun.”
While Mescal embraced the grueling workout schedule and strict diet, there were limits. “I did everything he asked, but I like to drink, and I like to smoke, so I drew a line in the sand where those were concerned,” he admitted.
Jump to:
Stepping Into a Legacy Role
In Gladiator 2, Mescal plays Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of the villainous Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) from the original film. Set over two decades after the events of Gladiator, the story follows Lucius as he faces his own trials, ultimately becoming a gladiator like Maximus, the character immortalized by Russell Crowe.
The stakes are high for the sequel, given the massive success of the original film, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. Gladiator also grossed more than $460 million worldwide and became a cultural touchstone for historical epics.
How Paul Mescal Landed the Role
Mescal’s journey to becoming Ridley Scott’s Lucius was surprisingly straightforward. Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, the Aftersun star revealed that his audition was nothing more than a 30-minute Zoom call with the legendary director.
“Ridley doesn’t waste time,” Mescal said. “I thought there would be camera tests and auditions, but we Zoomed for half an hour. We spoke for ten minutes about the role and then twenty minutes about Gaelic football, his dog, and his wife.”
Weeks later, Scott offered him the role, trusting his instincts rather than relying on a drawn-out audition process.
Working Alongside Denzel Washington
Joining Mescal in Gladiator 2 is Denzel Washington, who plays Macrinus, a former slave and mentor to Lucius. For Mescal, sharing the screen with Washington was a surreal experience.
“It was a big day in my life,” Mescal said of his first encounter with the Oscar-winning actor. “I spent the first day thinking, ‘I must go introduce myself,’ but I stood there for several minutes before deciding, ‘Not today.’”
Eventually, Mescal gathered the courage to say hello. “The next day, I decided to be a brave boy,” he joked.
Gladiator 2 Breaks Box Office Records Despite Challenges
Gladiator 2 has cemented its place among the all-time highest-grossing historical films, reaching significant box office milestones despite the hurdles of modern distribution. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film has earned an impressive $449 million worldwide, placing it 21st on the list of top-grossing historical films globally.
Domestically, Gladiator 2 brought in $169 million, surpassing the 1991 classic Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Internationally, it racked up $280 million, reflecting its strong appeal to global audiences. While it hasn’t yet overtaken the original Gladiator’s $451 million total, it’s just $2 million shy, making it likely to surpass that milestone soon.
The film’s box office success is particularly noteworthy given its early release on VOD on December 24. Despite this, Gladiator 2 continued to draw audiences to theaters, bringing in an additional $2.6 million in one weekend nearly two months after its initial release—a rare feat in today’s moviegoing climate.
A Box Office Victory, but a Costly One
However, the film’s path to profitability remains complex. With a reported $250 million production budget, Gladiator 2 needs to reach $500 million to break even. Though its $449 million haul is undeniably impressive, the film is still $50 million short of its break-even target.
Industry analysts point out that Gladiator 2’s sustained box office performance shows it has “legs,” indicating strong word-of-mouth and fan enthusiasm. But turning a significant profit will require continued VOD success and strong international markets.
