Paul Mescal reveals the unlikely advice director Ridley Scott gave him before starting work on Gladiator II: ‘I was like what the f*** does that mean?’

Paul Mescal has revealed the unlikely advice director Ridley Scott gave him before filming his first scenes in £300M mega move Gladiator II.

The Irish actor, 28, who plays Lucius in the epic, said that he didn’t fear taking the mantle from Russell Crowe who won an Oscar for his role in the 200 original, which he first saw in his teens.   

But admitted to the Hollywood Authentic that he was left asking himself ‘what the f*** does that mean’ following the 86-year-old moviemaker’s cryptic words.

‘This ties back to something Ridley said on the first day of filming when we were waiting to get going, and we were all in these little tents. He comes up, smoking a cigar, and he slaps me on the back, and goes: “Just remember, your nerves are no good to me”’. 

‘I was like “What the f**k does that mean?” What I took from it was: “This isn’t about you. So whatever legacy the film is taking, you’re actually doing it a disservice if you can’t wear that. It’s bigger than us all making the film. Just go make the film”‘.

Paul Mescal, 28, has revealed the unlikely advice director Ridley Scott, 86, gave him before filming his first scenes in £300M mega move Gladiator II

The Irish actor, who plays Lucius in the epic (pictured) admitted he was left asking himself ‘what the f*** does that mean’ following the moviemaker’s cryptic words

Paul also revealed after training so hard to get into shape for the role co-star Pedro Pascal dubbed him ‘Paul the wall’ on set due to his intimating physique. 

It comes after Director Ridley  revealed if there will be a third Gladiator film and said he is already making plans for another movie just days after the second in the trilogy’s worldwide release.

The sequel stars Paul and Denzel Washington and has been lauded by critics as ‘watchable and spectacular’. 

Speaking to The Times Ridley spoke about his future projects which also include a western inspired by The Proposition and a new thriller.

Asked if he has started Gladiator III he said: ‘I’ve written 12 pages’ – before confirming he has also started drawing his storyboards. 

It comes after Gladiator II critics declared that Denzel ‘stole the entire’ picture as they heaped praise on his electrifying performance.

Though Paul, 28, takes the lead in the action-packed blockbuster as the vengeful Roman Empire heir-turned-Gladiator, it’s Denzel’s portrayal as the sly and ambitious Mecrinus that has everyone talking.

The Hollywood star, 69, has been lauded for his ‘pure camp’ line delivery, with it being said that Denzel is ‘palpably revelling’ in playing the ‘smug, self-satisfied schemer.’

Paul said that he didn’t fear taking the mantle from Russell Crowe who won an Oscar for his role in the 200 original, (right) which he first saw in his teens  

‘This ties back to something Ridley said on the first day of filming when we were waiting to get going, and we were all in these little tents. He comes up, smoking a cigar, and he slaps me on the back, and goes: “Just remember, your nerves are no good to me”’ 

‘I was like “What the f**k does that mean?” What I took from it was: “This isn’t about you. So whatever legacy the film is taking, you’re actually doing it a disservice if you can’t wear that’

Paul also revealed after training so hard to get into shape for the role co-star Pedro Pascal (right)  dubbed him ‘Paul the wall’ on set due to his intimating physique

Meanwhile, Paul, who first shot to fame in 2020’s Normal People, is said to be the ‘pumping heart of the movie’ who ‘exudes charisma and testosterone’.

Though critics have been somewhat divided by Scott’s latest offering with some noting that it doesn’t quite live up to the film’s original, overall, Gladiator II has been seen as a triumph, with one noting that it’s ‘watchable and spectacular’.

The Daily Mail’s Brian Viner notes that while the sequel falls short of its masterpiece predecessor, it is still ‘heaps of farfetched and ferocious fun.’

He writes: ‘Even though this sequel rarely scales the soaring heights of the first film, and takes some right Roman liberties with historical truths, it is still worthy of a firm-ish thumbs-up.

‘Giving the blockbuster four stars, he continues:  ‘Certainly, Lucius is not cowed by anything the Colosseum can throw at him, from killer baboons to, in a cinematic flourish all but guaranteed to make historians of ancient Rome throw their textbooks at the screen, a saddled-up warrior-rhinoceros.

‘And let’s not even start on the savage sharks brought in to pep up the recreation of a naval battle.

‘Meanwhile, Rome has become a cesspit of depravity and corruption under the rotten rule of slimy emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and his twin Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

‘Hechinger is said to have modelled Caracalla on Johnny Rotten, while the syphilitic Geta was reportedly inspired in part by Sid Vicious. Having warmed to the rhino and the sharks I’m all for this unlikely fusion of ancient Rome and the Sex Pistols.

‘The emperors’ over-the-top ghastliness borders on the comedic but then it’s best not to take any of this seriously.’

Brian concludes: ‘Yes, Scott’s lofty disregard for historical verities extends even to his own narrative but let’s not hold that against him. At the age of 86, the old boy still knows how to craft a sword-and-sandals epic, so to hell with the facts.’