“I’ll be in a bad spot”: Paul Mescal Feels Following Russell Crowe’s Footsteps With Gladiator 2 Might Backfire Horribly
One thing that almost every actor might desire is fame and respect in the entertainment industry. However, unwanted popularity can severely affect them and bring consequences to their life. Similarly, Paul Mescal revealed that he does not prefer getting extremely famous, despite knowing about the aftermath of Russell Crowe’s Gladiator.
While Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 is on its way, acclaimed actor Paul Mescal is playing the leading role of Lucius in the sequel. The actor recently talked about unwanted popularity and mentioned that it would lead him to a state he never desired. Mescal is aware of Russell Crowe’s fame after Gladiator, and unlike him, the young actor fears how he’ll end up after the second installment comes out.
Paul Mescal Fears Following Russell Crowe in Gladiator 2: Thinks it Will Lead to Unwanted Fame
Paul Mescal not craving attention and fame might sound a bit weird to many, but the actor also mentioned that his fear surrounds the amount of popularity he might receive. The first Gladiator had Russell Crowe as the leading man and after his exceptional performance, the actor not only rose to stardom and immense fame but also became an Oscar winner for his role.
Fans couldn’t stop themselves from obsessing over Crowe, and his popularity was to a degree that required knowledge on how to handle it. He became a household name in the industry and was offered massive projects by numerous directors. And as expected, Russell Crowe was successful in handing the fame and attention.
However, this is what rising star Paul Mescal fears. According to the Normal People star, following Crowe’s footsteps might result in excessive and unwanted glory. In an interview with Cinemablend, Mescal said:
“I don’t know what the difference will be. Maybe that’s naive? Is it just that more people will stop you in the street? I’d get profoundly depressed if that’s so and hope it isn’t true. I’ll have an answer next year, but if [the film] impacts my life in that way, I’ll be in a bad spot. I’d have to move on and do an obtuse play nobody wants to see.”
Mescal has an incredible opportunity to seek Crowe’s advice, but due to his fears, he hasn’t reached out to the iconic actor. The Aftersun star prefers excelling at filmmaking and understanding the process of creating impactful performances, rather than worrying about social media fame. The first movie was a huge box-office hit and Crowe’s powerful portrayal of Maximus brought excitement and thrill among fans.
When Will Paul Mescal’s Gladiator 2 Release?
Gladiator 2 is set for a release this year, and along with Mescal other famous actors like Barry Keoghan, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and other notable stars will also appear in the film. Considering Ridley Scott‘s history with box-office hits and intriguing narratives, the sequel will likely offer an outstanding experience to fans.
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The first movie featured Russell Crowe’s battle against the brutal murders, and the strong narrative secured almost twelve Academy Award nominations. The plot details for Gladiator 2 have been kept under wrap, but reflecting on the young Lucius of the first film, the sequel might follow the story of the young boy who rejected the idea of being the future ruler of Rome and wanted to become like Maximus. Since Mescal is playing the adult Lucius, we might witness him following his idol’s footsteps.
Gladiator 2 will be out on November 22nd, 2024.
