Paul Mescal: I Feel ‘Pressure’ for ‘Gladiator II’ to Save the Box Office

"The box office needs a shot in the arm, and if films like 'Gladiator II' aren’t doing it, it would be concerning."

Paul Mescal wants audiences to pay to be entertained by “Gladiator II” at the box office.

The indie star makes his blockbuster debut with Ridley Scott’s $250 million-plus sequel, which opens November 22 in theaters, the same day as musical adaptation “Wicked.”

Mescal told Variety that there is “pressure” for “Gladiator II” to do well in theaters.

“I do feel the pressure, and I do feel the desire for this to make money,” Mescal said. “The box office needs a shot in the arm, and if films like ‘Gladiator II’ aren’t doing it, it would be concerning. So I do feel a responsibility.”

“Gladiator II” is set 20 years after the events of the first film, which was released in 2000. Mescal plays the son of Russell Crowe’s deceased character Maximus; Mescal’s Lucius is the grandson of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington also star in the Paramount feature.

“I wasn’t like, ‘I need to do this,’” Mescal said of taking on the role. “It was really just Ridley and ‘Gladiator,’ and I felt like I was ripe for this kind of big film. I played sports growing up; I know what it is to throw myself around. I look Roman. All of those things. And it’s Ridley Scott!” 

He added, “I mean, going from something like ‘Aftersun,’ where it’s about looking into people’s souls, trying to figure out human beings, to this.”

However, there is a parallel between “Aftersun” and “Gladiator II,” namely about the grief of parenthood and the pressure of legacy.

“There’s lots of latent trauma behind it all, and I’m your guy for that,” Mescal said, adding that his “Gladiator II” character “goes through the fucking wringer.”

He continued, “I was like, that’s a great arc to go on. And I felt like there were opportunities within the film to act — to do the part of the job that I love.”

And director Scott is already eyeing Mescal to return for a possible third “Gladiator” film. Scott told The Hollywood Reporter that there is “already an idea” for a trilogy, with the next installment inspired by “The Godfather: Part II.”

As for the “Gladiator II” box office, Scott is hopeful.

“‘Gladiator II’ definitely signals it could be quite a large success. It’s almost got everything you need for that,” Scott said. “Since [the original] ‘Gladiator,’ I think I’ve done 16 movies — which is kind of a lot in 20 years. I always envied being an actor and you can do two or three movies a year. They don’t have to do any prep except learn their lines. I’ve got to have it written, budget it, cast it, shoot it, make it, edit it, and deliver it. The actor just has to turn up and do his fucking job. […] I wouldn’t be doing it [if directing felt like work]. It’s my passion and therefore my pleasure. I think it actually keeps me going.”