Paul Mescal and Ridley Scott showed off their close bond as they arrived at the London premiere of Gladiator II at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Wednesday.
The actor and director looked like best friends as they laughed and joked on the red carpet after Paul revealed they had a ‘big fight’ during filming.
Paul, 28, plays the former heir to the Roman Empire Lucius Verus in the blockbuster directed by filmmaker Ridley, 86.
As the pair posed side by side for the display, the Irish star put his arm around Ridley’s neck and chatted with him.
The conversation seemed to irritate the Alien director, who chuckled at his comments.
Paul Mescal and Ridley Scott showed off their close bond as they arrived at the London premiere of Gladiator II at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Wednesday
The actor and director appeared to be the best of friends as they laughed and joked on the red carpet after Paul revealed they had a ‘big fight’ during filming
Later in the evening, Paul struck a series of silly poses next to the legendary filmmaker, pointing and giving a thumbs up, while Ridley grinned sheepishly next to him.
Ridley and the Normal People star were later joined by Denzel Washington and the trio posed under an arch in the matching black tuxedos before heading inside to watch the film.
Ridley was all smiles as he was joined by the stars and chatted with the duo before taking center stage for a full cast photo.
For the London premiere, Paul looked effortlessly stylish in a black suit and an open white shirt with an undone tie collar.
Ridley looked very dapper in a double-breasted velvet blazer, white shirt and black bow tie.
Paul previously shared the insane bet he had with Ridley over a Gladiator II stunt that caused a huge feud between the two.
In a new interview with Vanity fair the actor talked about how towards the end of the film there was a scene where a tired Lucius mounts a horse to chase Macrinus.
Paul was keen to give his best for the action-packed moment and the other stunts that had been ‘trained for bloody months’ – before Ridley changed his mind about the scene.
As the two posed side by side for the display, Paul put his arm around Ridley’s neck and chatted with him.
Ridley and the Normal People star were later joined by Denzel Washington and the trio posed under an arch in the matching black tuxedos before heading inside to watch the film.
For the London premiere, Paul looked effortlessly stylish in a black suit and open white shirt with an undone tie collar
Paul told the publication: ‘Two weeks before the scene, Ridley said, ‘You’re not fucking doing it,’ and I was like, ‘What the f**k?’, and we had an argument. ‘
Ridley had decided to remove the scene because of advice about horses he had received for another film
Paul added of the altercation: “I was constantly harassing him. And the day before he says, ‘Okay, you can do the stunt, but when you get off, it’s two Bentleys.’
Ultimately, he managed to complete the move in just a few takes.
The actor, who rose to fame as Connel Waldron in the BBC hit Normal People, plays the son of Russell Crowe’s legendary Maximus.
Although the character has long been dead and buried, it is the vengeful Lucius (Paul) who must fight for his freedom in the film after he is enslaved and ripped away from his wife and daughter by General Marcus (Pedro Pascal).
Paul previously shared the insane bet he had with Ridley over a Gladiator II stunt that caused a huge row between the pair
In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor talked about how there was a scene towards the end of the film that he had been training for for “goddamn months” – before Ridley changed his mind.
Paul told the publication: “Two weeks before the scene, Ridley said, ‘You’re not fucking doing it,’ and I was like, ‘What the f**k?’, and we had an argument.”
Gladiator II takes place a few decades after the first part and is about Lucius (the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla) who now lives in Numidia, a region in North Africa.
Although he was sent to Numidia as a child, the film follows Lucius’ return to Rome to reunite with his mother – and finds himself conflicted in the process.
The film, twenty years in the making, was a hit with critics and fans praised Paul’s performance.
Early reviews from critics called Gladiator II the “best movie of the year” and a “true epic,” as they praised Paul and Denzel’s performances.