Fame Uncertainty
Discussing his role in Gladiator 2, Olivier Award winner Paul Mescal expressed fear about the consequences of becoming more famous.
Mescal, who will play Lucius, Lucilla’s grown-up son in the sequel to the film Gladiator, said that he could be “really depressed” if the movie significantly changes his life.
Facing Fame Uncertainty
The actor acknowledged uncertainty about the level of fame that might come with a Gladiator sequel, asking whether it would become a more public affair.
Mescal candidly told, “It’d make me really depressed if so and I pray it won’t.” He was worried that he would be stopped on the street by people who have seen him because he had been globally recognized.
Toxic Masculinity and How Mescal Approaches It
Talking about toxic masculinity during an interview, Mescal declared that: “it has destroyed everything”.
He spoke specifically about toxic masculinities which have troubled societies and called for a reconsideration of what being a man entails.
He emphasized on changing societal definitions of masculinity as being difficult or requiring tough conversations.
Dealing with Unwanted Attention
Mescal also discussed instances where he has received unwanted attention such as rumors circulating on social media platforms by individuals claiming to have gone out with him.
He approached this issue calmly asserting that those who lie about others do not tarnish them but themselves.
In Case Gladiator 2 Is as Big of a Hit as The Original
The first Gladiator movie featuring Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius became a global hit and considerably raised Crowe’s profile.
Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal are set to join Ridley Scott-directed sequel.
The original film Gladiator got twelve Academy Award nominations and won five Oscars including the Best Actor award for Russell Crowe.
Addressing Fears of Fame
Reflecting on fame and how it affected him personally, Paul said, “If [Gladiator 2] does that to me then it’s put me in a bad place. I’m going to have to move on and do a really obscure play no one comes to see.”
The actor specifically pointed out the challenges of living under intense public scrutiny and finding a balance between his personal life and profession.
How Mescal Views Toxic Masculinity
In this interview, Mescal criticized toxic masculinity by stating that “it is the thing that has ruined this entire planet”.
More specifically, he condemned toxic forms of masculinity which continue to perpetuate societal problems and called for a relook at male identity.
He focused on the difficulty of changing society’s view on masculinity, suggesting tough talk as an important step.
Changing the Way People View Masculinity
Accordingly, Mescal noted that vulnerability is often seen as weakness for men due to societal norms.
Men find it hard discuss their problems because they are taught not to reach out when they are going through something.
The actor urged for a different approach towards masculinity with a more inclusive definition.
Paul Mescal gained fame by playing the multi-faceted character Connell in ‘Normal People’.
Last year, he was nominated for an Oscar and Bafta for his work in Aftersun, a film that explores a man’s mental health problems during a vacation with his daughter.
Mescal also won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in the stage adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire.
In his latest venture, a romantic fantasy drama called All of Us Strangers, he shares the stage with Irish actor Andrew Scott.
Gladiator 2 Set for November Release
As Paul Mescal gears up for the release of Gladiator 2 in November, he finds himself divided between great anticipation and fears about the dangers that fame can bring.
The actor’s frank insights on toxic masculinity and public scrutiny offer a glimpse into how he has evolved both professionally and personally, concerning his career path as well as society’s expectations.