‘Gladiator II’s’ Paul Mescal On Learning From Ridley Scott: “It’s Kind of Endless”

“Normal People,” “All of Us Strangers,” and “Aftersun” have all been critically acclaimed and bolstered the early career of Paul Mescal. His first credit was in 2019, and in just five years he is the lead in “Gladiator II.” Ridley Scott is one of cinema’s most legendary filmmakers, so it’s no surprise that Mescal learned an “endless” amount from the “Gladiator II” director.

“Gladiator II” centers on Lucius (Paul Mescal) a warrior who is forced to fight in the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the Emperors ruling Rome. Seeking revenge, Lucius is determined to take down his enemies no matter what the cost. “Gladiator” actress Connie Nielsen returns for the sequel, and the ensemble cast includes Denzel Washington, Lior Raz, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, and Pedro Pascal.

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“What I learned from Ridley is kind of endless, but the focus of that is the job that we do is precious,” said Mescal. “The time that we have when we are making the job is precious. It shouldn’t suprise me that the legacy that this man has and the career that he has built and sculpted for himself . . . that the day he is living in presently when he is working is the most important. It has nothing to do with past or the future. It’s very much present tense.”

Catch “Gladiator II” in theaters and IMAX on November 22, 2024.

On this week’s CinemAddicts, we review “Gutter,” “Cellar Door,” and “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat.”

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