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Paul Mescalmight be headed to ancient Rome.
On Friday, multiple outlets reported that Mescal, 26, is in negotiations to take on the lead role in the sequel to directorRidley Scott’sAcademy Award-winning 2000 historical action epicGladiator.
Mescal was one of the first actors to meet with Scott, 85, for the role afterGladiator 2’s script was finalized in November 2022, Deadline reported Friday. The outlet reported that Mescal was “clearly Scott’s top choice” for the part after their initial meeting, citing insider sources.
While Deadline reported that Mescal’s deal to star inGladiator2is not yet finalized, the negotiations have made clear that the movie will finally happen over two decades after the originalRussell Crowe-led film released.
Screenwriter David Scarpa, who has previously collaborated with Scott on 2017’sAll the Money in the Worldand on the director’supcoming Napoleon Bonaparte moviestarring Phoenix, 48, wrote the script for the upcomingGladiatorsequel, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
TOMMASO BODDI/AFP/Getty
Efforts to create a sequel toGladiatordate back a number of years. In May 2020, Nielsen toldEntertainment Weeklythat she had heard from the film’s producers aboutmaking a sequel, indicating the film’s timing was “just a question of which film is coming first in Ridley’s very tight schedule.”
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Russell Crowe inGladiator.Universal/Getty
Mescal’s recent film roles after his breakout part inNormal Peopleincluded 2022 filmsGod’s Creaturesand awards season darlingAftersun, the latter of which earned the actor anomination for best actor at the upcoming Critics Choice Awards.
In September 2022, Mescal spoke with PEOPLE about playing against type from hisNormal Peopledays in his more recent projects and at the time indicatedone major movie franchise he would be interested inafter his success in independent films.
“If I get to keep making indie films for the rest of my life, I’ll be a happy man,” he told PEOPLE at the time.
“Something likeTop Gun: Maverickwould be more interesting to me,” Mescal added, when asked whether there is a cinematic universe he would like to join. “I love that movie.”
source: people.com
