LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Paul Mescal announced himself with the critically acclaimed ‘Aftersun,’ but the makers of ‘Gladiator 2’ noticed something else in the actor. The star was picked by Paramount motion pictures co-head Daria Cerek and is set to fill in the shoes of Russell Crowe from 2000. Cercek said referring to Mescal's performance in the West End revival of 'A Streetcar Named Desire,’ “The ladies in the audience were very vocal, and we were like, ‘I think we’ve found our guy.'"

In February, Mescal revealed that he didn’t audition for the role, but was offered the flick after a meeting with Ridley Scott, 85. "I'm so proud I get to make it. It's an intimidating feat. It's something I'm nervous about but something I feel like I can do," he said.

How did Paul Mescal land 'Gladiator 2' role?

In an interview with Variety, Daria Cerek shared how they found their man! “He played Stanley, and there are several moments where he takes off his shirt and it was electric.” The actor addressed that though he is getting a lot of ‘focus’ on his appearance, the 27-year-old doesn’t mind it. "Of course there's a physical robustness required for the character, but past that, I'm not interested. This guy's got to fight and got to be a beast. And whatever that looks and feels like is right for me, is what it's going to be." He added, "Sometimes I see films and I'm like, 'That person doesn't look real.'"

'It's been a wild year'

Mescal also loves to work in independent films. He told People last year, "If I get to keep making indie films for the rest of my life, I'll be a happy man. Something like 'Top Gun: Maverick' would be more interesting to me." The ‘Normal People’ actor recently celebrated his 27th birthday and was asked if this was his best birthday until now, "It's been a f*****g wild year. Many ups and downs. It's been kind of spectacular in that sense. Yeah."

During his appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ Mescal shared the funny episode where he was seen backstage with his pants down by Nicole Kidman. "We thought it was the stage manager or something and I go to open the door. It's Nicole Kidman, and I'm standing there in, like, sweaty underwear," he said.

'Gladiator 2' is anticipated to be released in November, 2024.