26 August 2023 , 04:22
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Paul Mescal is trying to get into the best shape of his life to take on the leading role in the upcoming sequel to Gladiator - but has confessed he’s refusing to quit booze and cigarettes while preparing for the role.
The 27-year-old Irish actor is following in the footsteps of Russell Crowe to take on the lead role in the sequel to the 2000 film directed by Ridley Scott. The original film was a critical and commercial smash - raking in almost £400 million at the box office and winning praise from cinema goers.
The sequel will see Paul play Lucius Verus, the nephew of villainous Commodus, who was played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original film, and was played in the original film by American actor Spencer Treat Clark. And while the Normal People actor is working out to get in shape for the role, he is not abandoning his vices.
Paul says he is working with a Personal Trainer, but was very clear he wouldn’t be giving up alcohol or cigarettes while they were training. He told Esquire: “I set the tone early. I smoke and drink and that’s not going to change.
Paul Mescal is getting in shape for his new role in Gladiator 2 (Getty Images for Vanity Fair)“I can’t tell you how stressed I am talking about that film in particular, because it’s definitely the biggest one I’ve done. I feel really excited.”
Alison Hammond, Florence Pugh, Viola Davis & Paul Mescal lead stars at BAFTAs
The new film, which is duet for release next year, will see Connie Nielsen reprise her role from the original film to play Lucius’s mother, Lucilla. While the new film will see Derek Jacobi back as Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate, and Djimon Hounsou as former gladiator Juba.
New additions to the franchise include Denzel Washington, Matt Lucas and Pedro Pascal in undisclosed roles, while Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn will play Emperor Caracalla. Details of the new film remain under wraps, however, history shows that Emperor Caracalla was a violent ruler who ordered massacres across the Roman Empire, leading to his assassination by one of his soldiers.
Russell Crowe's fame exploded after he starred in Gladiator in 2000 (Getty)Earlier this summer, filming of the blockbuster, which is again be ing helmed by 85-year-old Ridley Scott, was halted when an accident caused multiple on-set injuries. Reports in June suggested six crew members had to be rushed to hospital due to an explosion.
Paul and Denzel were allegedly around when the incident took place in the Sahara desert in Morocco and "watched on in horror. A source said at the time: "It was terrifying — a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path.
"Everyone involved, from the lowliest runners to the star names, has been shaken up by this.”