You don’t want to anger a man who’s stepped into the Colosseum against a rhino and lived to tell the tale. Ahead of the release of Gladiator II, Paul Mescal urges companies and audiences to rethink their philosophy about movies as an art form and to never ever call them “content” again. The Irish-born actor is entering a new level of stardom with the leading role in Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to the Russell Crowe-led Gladiator. Gladiator II is expected to dominate the box office when it releases in theaters later this month, and will likely become an online sensation. But, Mescal couldn’t care less about social media performance or hits, as content creation and filmmaking are two distinctly different worlds.
“Over the last few years people have been talking about films as content,” Mescal told The Times. To the rising actor, there is a clear difference in creation and motivation behind filmmaking and content creation. He continued, “I’m not being snobby, but there are two concurrent industries. One that works with a lack of care, artistic integrity. Go nuts, make stuff with Instagram followers as a factor, whatever … But the other is what has always been there — the craft of film — making, directing, lighting and production design. That keeps artists alive.”
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Gladiator II’s Denzel Washington & Cast Share Their Thoughts on Ridley Scott’s Epic Achievement
Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Paul Mescal all talked up Ridley Scott at the film’s screening on Friday night.
Paul Mescal first found major fame with the joint leading role in the Hulu drama Normal People, alongside Twisters star Daisy Edgar-Jones. Following on from being the internet’s boyfriend during the COVID pandemic, Mescal received immense acclaim for his leading roles in indie hits like The Lost Daughters, God’s Creatures, and his Oscar winning turn in Aftersun. Last year, Mescal graced the big screen in the multi-BAFTA nominated All of Us Strangers, alongside Andrew Scott. Whether it’s in a microbudget movie, or a hundred-million dollar potential blockbuster, it’s clear that Paul Mescal cares about the work first and foremost. That’s why the word “content” appears to frustrate him so much. He summed up his point saying:
“It’s not ‘content,’ it’s f**king work!”
Gladiator II Could Already Be a Hit
Of all the concerns raised about Gladiator II, very few are aimed at Paul Mescal’s casting as Lucius, the son of Lucilla and Maximus Decimus Meridius. Fans initially questioned Denzel Washington’s accent, and the baffling choice to include a Jay-Z and Kanye West song in the first trailer. But the biggest question on the minds of fans at the moment is, “Will the new movie be worth the wait?”
The first reactions have emerged online, and it appears that Ridley Scott is back in top form after the mixed reception to Napoleon (starring Joaquin Phoenix). In fact, one of the movie’s biggest question marks appears to be its strongest element. Among the early reactions, Denzel Washington’s performance as the manipulative Macrinus has been hailed as Oscar-worthy. Other reactions declare that the sequel, two decades in the making, is more than worth the wait, and lives up to and exceeds the legacy of the original movie.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Cast
- Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Denzel Washington , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , Fred Hechinger , Derek Jacobi , May Calamawy , Peter Mensah , Matt Lucas , Alexander Karim , Tim McInnerny , Lee Charles , Chidi Ajufo , Alfie Tempest , Riana Duce , Chi Lewis Parry , Paul Candelent , Hadrian Howard , Alexander Simkin , Mikhail Basmadjian , Matthew Charlery-Smith , Maxime Durand , Lior Raz