Ridley Scott Binge Watching TV caught Paul Mescal in Gladiator II

Next time someone tries to tell you that nothing productive comes from binge-watching television, just point that out to them Gladiator II. In one Hollywood Reporter Special feature During production of the Ridley Scott-directed film, it was revealed that the director had watched Paul Mescal’s Hulu series Normal people helped the actor land the lead role of Lucius Verus.

Only Scott knows what led him to the drama series about an emotionally complex relationship, in which Mescal plays a sensitive man who breaks down during a therapy session. Whatever the reason, it helped Scott choose him over more established stars like Timothée Chalamet and Miles Teller. Because the post explains how the film’s Paramount co-presidents Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland watched Mescal play Stanley Kowalski in the 2022 revival A tram named Desire in London before making their decision, meaning Scott chose Mescal after Chalamet won a brutal knife fight as Paul Atreides dune and Teller took part as Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw attends a football game shirtless Top Gun: Maverick.

“Every studio would always prefer to have a well-known star” Gladiator II says producer Doug Wick. However, he later admitted that “no other actor came close to him.”

Mescal proved suited to the physically demanding role, which involved “suffering borderline heat stroke from time to time”, according to the star, who worked in humid conditions in Morocco and Malta, where the film was shot. It was worth risking his health Gladiator II’S 106 million dollars Opening box office on the weekend should be enough for any studio to greenlight a second sequel. Before a single ticket was sold, Scott already had a “soft footprint” for a possible one Gladiator III. Mescal and Scott already have plans to work together again in the thriller The dog stars. Although Mescal says the two haven’t discussed doing another song in detail gladiator Film: “It’s an idea that would excite me.”

Before you enter again gladiator Arena, pay your respects Normal peoplethe series responsible for making one of 2024’s biggest films look the way it does.