Paul Mescal Opens Up About Nerves Working with Co-star Pedro Pascal

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As the highly anticipated sequel to 'Gladiator' takes shape, co-stars Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal have been capturing attention not only for their roles but also for the intriguing dynamic they share behind the scenes. Mescal recently opened up about the mixture of excitement and anxiety he experienced upon meeting Pascal, who is set to portray him in this much-awaited continuation of the epic saga.

In a candid interview with Esquire, Mescal revealed that the initial encounter with Pascal was laden with nerves. The Irish actor confessed to spotting Pascal at the LAX airport just before the revelation of their roles. However, despite his initial hesitation, Pascal's approachable demeanor quickly put Mescal at ease.

"He just seemed so genuine; I’m really looking forward to hanging out with him," Mescal shared. Within the film, Mescal assumes the role of an adult Lucius, a character who has grown from an infant into a pivotal figure.

The complexity of this portrayal seems to have contributed to Mescal's concern. The actor indicated that although the sequel's narrative has been shaped through discussions with acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott, the absence of a traditional audition process and the weight of living up to the legacy of the original film have added to his pre-production stress.

Embracing Legacy, Crafting Originality: Mescal's Gladiator Endeavor

Mescal acknowledged the challenge of balancing excitement with the pressure of upholding the reputation of the beloved original movie. "It’s definitely the biggest one I’ve done.

I feel really excited, but, like, it’s difficult to get away from the legacy of the film a bit," Mescal admitted. He expressed optimism about the script, noting that while it pays homage to its predecessor, it offers room for him to infuse his own unique perspective.

The filming process itself has been marked by the backdrop of industry strikes, which caused a temporary halt in production. Despite these setbacks, Ridley Scott managed to shoot a significant portion of the sequel before the interruption.

While Mescal's focus remains on his portrayal, he noted that he has yet to engage with the original 'Gladiator' star Russell Crowe. Explaining the distinction between the character and the actor, Mescal expressed intrigue about Crowe's on-set experiences but emphasized the separation between their roles.

As the curtain rises on this highly anticipated sequel, fans can anticipate not only the continuation of a captivating narrative but also the burgeoning on-screen chemistry between Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal, two actors dedicated to breathing new life into a cherished cinematic universe.