Paul Mescal was too afraid to talk to Gladiator 2 co-star Pedro Pascal

Paul Mescal may have been entertained but he was also intimidated, sharing that he was nervous to even approach his Gladiator 2 co-star Pedro Pascal prior to shooting the upcoming sequel.

In a new Esquire UK profile, Paul Mescal said before it was made public that he had joined the cast of Gladiator 2, he bumped into Pascal at the airport but tried to duck him. ”I was too afraid to go up to him…He came up and just seemed so genuine; I’m really looking forward to hanging out with him.”

While Pedro Pascal’s role remains unknown, Paul Mescal’s Gladiator 2 character is that of Lucius, who was featured in Ridley Scott’s original as portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark. But even he is remaining secretive on what has come of the character, saying, “I can’t tell you how stressed I am talking about that film in particular, because 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. I think it’s really well written and it pays homage to the first one, but it’s very much something that I think I can step into and make comfortably my own.”

When asked if he has discussed Gladiator 2 with the original’s star, Russell Crowe (Maximus Decimus Meridius, father to a murdered son and husband to a murdered wife, in case he didn’t make it clear), Paul Mescal said, “I don’t know what we would talk about. Like, I’d love to hear his stories from filming, but the character is, like, totally separate.” And Crowe very well would share some behind-the-scenes tales, as he – who won Best Actor, landing one of the film’s five Oscars – expressed a sort of kinship with Mescal, saying he was jealous that the 27-year-old is going to get some incredible experiences making the movie.

Although filming on Gladiator 2 began in June, it is currently suspended due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Are you looking forward to Gladiator 2? How do you think it will compare with the 2000 original? Let us know!