Paul Mescal says he will be ‘profoundly depressed’ and ‘in a bad spot’ if his starring role in Gladiator 2 propels him to super stardom

Paul Mescal has expressed his hope that Gladiator 2 won’t launch him into super stardom, saying it would leave him ‘deeply depressed’.

The Irish actor, 27, will take on the lead role in the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 Oscar-winning film, starring Russell Crowe.

Paul plays Lucius, the nephew of Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix and the secret son of Russell’s character Maximus.

Gladiator 2 has been highly anticipated for over two decades, as the original was hailed as one of the greatest historical epic films of all time and won five Academy Awards.

The first film also launched the careers of Russell and Joaquin, with the film’s release taking Russell from mid-level stardom to one of the most famous men in the world.

The Irish actor, 27, will star in the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 Oscar-winning film, starring Russell Crowe (pictured in film)

However, Paul has said that he does not want to reach the same level of fame, admitting that he hopes his life remains the same and that he can live undisturbed.

Speak with The Sunday times on what his life will be like after the sequel comes out, he said, “I don’t know what the difference will be. Maybe that’s naive? Is it just because more people will stop you on the street?’

He then confessed, “I would be deeply depressed if that were the case and I hope it’s not true. I’ll have an answer next year, but if (the movie) affects my life that way, I’m in a bad position.”

Paul then joked that if he had a meteoric rise he would follow up the movie with something people didn’t want to see, saying, “I should go on and do a stupid play that no one wants to see.”

The Aftersun star added that he is not interested in being a famous celebrity and being sequestered in VIP areas, saying he would feel “bored”.

He explained: ‘Then you would see yourself differently somehow and I don’t want that. I would just be too bored.

‘I don’t want to close myself off to going out and meeting someone in a bar, or getting drunk at a party. That would make me a boring person.

“It would be dangerous to wrap yourself in cotton wool and not go out into the world out of fear.”

The first film took Russell from celebrity to one of the most famous men in the world and earned him an Oscar for Best Actor (depicted in film)

However, Paul has said he doesn’t want to reach the same level of fame, admitting he hopes his life stays the same and he can live undisturbed (pictured in February 2023).

The Aftersun star added that he is not interested in being a famous celebrity and being confined to VIP areas as he said he would feel ‘bored’ (pictured October 2023)

Production on Gladiator 2 resumed last month after being suspended last July due to the Hollywood actors’ strike.

Director Ridley returns to helm the project, but Russell will not be seen again following his character’s death at the end of the first film.

The film also stars Denzel Washington, whose character has yet to be revealed but is believed to be an enslaved arms and resources dealer with a grudge against the Emperor.

Connie Neilsen will reprise her role as Lucilla, Lucius’ mother, while Derek Jacobi will also return as Roman senator Gracchus.

Pedro Pascal and Matt Lucas are among the new cast members, and Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn will play Emperor Caracalla, while Fred Hechinger replaces Barry Keoghan as Emperor Geta.

Paul will reportedly earn £6million for taking on the lead role in the blockbuster, as he is said to have undergone a stunning physical transformation for the role.

In September, a Hollywood source familiar with the film said: “Paul has been training for months.

Production on Gladiator 2 resumed last month after being suspended last July due to the Hollywood actors’ strike (original film pictured)

Paul reportedly underwent a stunning physical transformation for the role and recently showed off his ripped physique on social media

‘He goes to the gym almost every day to gain strength and has a dietician who advises him what to eat for maximum muscle growth. All that hard work is clearly paying off.’

Paul also showed off his physique on social media, thrilling fans with images of himself looking ripped and pumping iron.

The cast and crew worked hard shooting in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara on extravagant sets, with additional filming in Malta and Britain.

Gladiator 2 is expected to hit theaters in late 2024.