Paul Mescal gets candid on being ‘forever’ angry at 'Gladiator II' director

Paul Mescal, who plays the leading role in the sequel to the Oscar-winning movie Gladiator, revealed that he has a bone to pick with the director of the movie.

The upcoming sequel which stars the BAFTA winner, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen, follows Lucius Verus (played by Mescal), who is the former heir to the Roman Empire is forced into slavery and eventually the Colosseum in an effort to restore the lost glory to his home.

In conversation with GQ magazine, the 28-year-old revealed that the fight scenes of the action-packed movie were filmed in the middle of summer.

Shedding light on his experience filming with the acclaimed director, the Normal People actor told the outlet, "The only thing I will forever be angry at Ridley for is his deep desire to shoot at the f---ing peak of summer, as a pasty Irish boy who does not do well in the heat, in armour, covered in fake tan and sweat, rolling around…Those fights were intense."

The cast and creators of Gladiator II are gearing up for its world premiere at the 72nd Royal Film Performance which anticipates the attendance of Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton. 

The Royal couple’s organisation Paramount Pictures have teamed up with the 86-year-old filmmaker to debut the premiere in London, on November 13th.

This comes after the Blade Runner director said last week, "Ever since making Gladiator, year after year, I kept asking myself, ‘Is there a sequel?’ After nearly 25 years, we are excited to finally answer that question for you, and audiences everywhere.”

“I think it will live up to your expectations,” the director added.