Paul Mescal recalls how Ridley Scott’s words helped filming ‘Gladiator’ role

Paul Mescal shared an unusual advice he received from director Ridley Scott before they began filming the epic movie.

The Normal People actor looked back on his first day of filming, waiting in tents to get going, when the director showed up with a blunt suggestion.

“He comes up, smoking a cigar, and he slaps me on the back, and goes, ‘Just remember, your nerves are no good to me,’” the 28-year-old star told Hollywood Authentic.

“I was like, ‘What the f--k does that mean?’"

The Slip Away crooner came to his own understanding that if he doesn’t fully embrace the role, he would be doing a disservice to the the legacy of the film.

“It’s bigger than us all making the film. Just go make the film. Go play Lucius,” he said.

Scott may have meant something completely different but Mescal found the advice quite liberating.

“That’s something I’ll always keep forever for big films and small ones: ‘Get out of your way. Let your ego sit in the corner, and go and do your job.’”

Mescal first saw the original film when he was 12 or 13 years old with his father, reminiscing the admiration his family had for the movie.

Two decades later, Mescal played the role of Lucius Maximus and didn’t cower from taking the lead after Russell Crowe’s incredible performance in Original 2000s Gladiator.

“I didn’t fear it,” he told the outlet.

The director also hinted at a possible third part of the movie during a discussion with The Times, revealing he had already written 12 pages of the script.

The Gladiators II worldwide premiere is slated for November 22nd, 2024.