Jacob Elordi is reportedly in talks to replace Paul Mescal in the leading role of Ridley Scott’s next movie, after the latter actor dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.  33424u

The film in question is titled The Dog Stars, and is adapted from the 2012 Peter Heller apocalyptic novel of the same name. It’s said to follow a civilian pilot who is living on an abandoned airbase with his dog and an ex-Marine amid a devastating pandemic. Originally, the movie was set to reunite Scott with his Gladiator II leading man, but has since been forced to rethink its star as Mescal departs the project to shoot the The Beatles biopic.

In his place, Elordi is said to be in early negotiations to take on the leading role, proving that Scott has a Rolodex of internet boyfriends at his disposal. The development should perhaps be expected, since Scott said last month that, due to Mescal’s “stacked” filming schedule, he “may have to let him go” from The Dog Stars. At the time, the director let slip that Mescal is “doing the Beatles next,” but Sony — the production company behind the biopic — has not officially confirmed Mescal’s long-rumored casting as bandmate Paul McCartney.

However, Mescal’s departure from The Dog Stars feels as though all signs are pointing to his involvement in the project, which will be helmed by 1917 director Sam Mendes. It will actually be a four-film project for the acclaimed director, with each biopic focusing on one of The Beatles bandmates; namely McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Not much is known about the project, but the films are expected to arrive in 2027. Naturally, the films have attracted a high level of buzz, and while no casting has been officially confirmed, various leaks and reports paint a picture of who might lead each of the biopics. 

Alongside Mescal’s all-but-confirmed role as McCartney, his Gladiator II co-star, Joseph Quinn, has reportedly signed on to play Beatles guitarist George Harrison (big win for Stranger Things fans). Babygirl star Harris Dickinson is said to have taken the role of founder John Lennon, while Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan will reportedly portray Ringo Starr. The drummer said as much in November, when he let slip that Keoghan is “somewhere taking drum lessons.” That extremely attractive quartet, my friends, will have us swooning in 2027, but their peer and fellow heartthrob, Elordi, also has a lot to look forward to. 

He must be glad to be working with Scott and replacing Mescal on The Dog Stars, since — at least according to the internet — he lost his long-rumored starring role in Luca Guadagnino’s remake of American Psycho.  But fret not, thirsty cinephiles, because the role of Patrick Bateman went to yet another internet boyfriend, Austin Butler… but not if you ask the author of the original American Psycho novel. 

Scott isn’t the only coveted director Elordi will work with in projects. He’s also set to reunite with Saltburn director Emerald Fennell for her Wuthering Heights adaptation opposite Margot Robbie, and will take on the form of Frankenstien’s monster in the Guillermo del Toro-directed Frankenstein. At this point, between Scott, Mendes, Guadagnino, and more, it seems even the world’s most acclaimed directors are just as thirsty for young Hollywood’s internet boyfriends as the rest of us.

History has a funny way of repeating itself, especially in the world of celebrity couples, and now the classic boy-leads-girl-through-paparazzi’s making the rounds once again. This time, however, it’s the dashing Paul Mescal in the hot seat.

Mescal, who’s currently turning heads in Gladiator II, is the latest star to spark controversy, after a viral moment with his girlfriend, Gracie Abrams, drew comparisons to an infamous incident involving Taylor Swift and her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn. Swifties (and a few others) are calling foul, and the phrase “dump him” is making the rounds on social media. Guess not everyone’s got that Tom Holland-level rizz.

A throwback to the Joe and Taylor video 201o2u

Rewind to 2022, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn had been dating for almost six years, famously keeping their relationship ultra-private. But their low-key romance didn’t stop a viral moment from igniting a fan frenzy. After the MTV VMAs, the pair was spotted leaving an afterparty at the Fleur Room in the Moxy Chelsea Hotel. Taylor, stunning in five-inch Alexander McQueen heels, held tightly to Joe’s hand as he pulled her into their getaway car. Some fans praised Joe’s “protective boyfriend” energy, but others didn’t buy it. Critics slammed the actor for “yanking” Taylor towards the SUV, claiming he was being ungentlemanly. The video spread faster than any Swift single, and while many defended Joe, arguing it was a practical move to escape paparazzi chaos, others insisted he was too rough, especially given Taylor’s towering heels. For many, the moment felt uncomfortable to watch, sparking an online debate that followed the couple until their eventual breakup in 2023.

Paul and Gracie’s time in the spotlight 1n3s1r

Fast forward to 2024, and Paul Mescal has unintentionally reignited this drama. The Normal People star was recently spotted leading his girlfriend Gracie through a swarm of paparazzi and into the Saturday Night Live building. Much like Joe and Taylor’s viral clip, Paul appears in a hurry, pulling Gracie through the chaos. Cue the internet outrage. Swifties and casual fans alike were quick to draw comparisons between the two videos, accusing Paul of being overly forceful, and even calling on Gracie to “dump him.” One viral tweet read:  “Why is this giving that one Taylor and Joe video?”

As with any celebrity “controversy,” opinions are split. Fans of Mescal argue that the clip is a harmless snapshot taken out of context and that he was simply trying to navigate a stressful situation, much like Joe’s defenders did two years ago. Others, however, see the moment as a red flag and as a symbol of a lack of consideration. As of now, neither Paul nor Gracie has commented on the video or the backlash. While the clip has sparked heated debates, it’s unlikely to cause any serious trouble for the couple. Still, the comparisons to Joe and Taylor’s moment show how easy it is to overanalyze celebrity moments, especially when they involve beloved public figures. Whether it’s fair or not, every move or dash to a car is subject to public judgment.

In the end, these viral moments say more as fans than they do about the celebrities themselves. Here’s to hoping Paul and Gracie can brush off the drama and maybe take a page from Taylor’s book by letting their next exit be a little more graceful.

For many actors, appearing in a Marvel Studios project is a rite of age — proof that you’ve really made it big and are ready to rub shoulders with the most popular stars in the world in the world’s biggest movie franchise. What’s more, being part of the MCU is a chance to put aside the intense indie dramas and play at having powers and saving the world while getting a nice fat paycheck for your troubles. What’s not to love about that?

There are some folks out there for whom Marvel still isn’t appealing, though, and that includes a certain Irish superstar. I know what you’re thinking — Wait, Ayo Edebiri was almost in Thunderbolts*? Why’s she changing her tune now? But nope, I’m actually talking about a different child of the Emerald Isle. The Marvel hater in the room is really Gladiator II‘s own Paul Mescal, despite rumors previously linking him to The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

“It’s not for me”: Gladiator II star shoots down MCU hopes in flames j6w6v

Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal may share the screen in Sir Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, but it turns out there was never any chance of them pairing up again as superhero brothers-in-law (brother-in-laws?) for Marvel’s incoming Fantastic Four reboot. With Pascal occupying the role of Reed Richards, who was going to play Johnny Storm was a hotly contested issue for a while there, with Mescal said to be in the running.

Happy Sad Confused podcaster Josh Horowitz had to ask the Normal People actor whether there was ever any actual truth to these rumors when he got him on his show, and Mescal quickly professed that there wasn’t. Not only that, but the Irishman made clear that he has no ambitions whatsoever to enter the Marvel sphere.

“I don’t think it’s for… it’s not for me,” Mescal responded, clearly choosing his words carefully. “I wasn’t brought up watching those films, I wasn’t drawn to them.” If there was one major franchise he wouldn’t mind being a part of, however, it’s Middle-earth, not the MCU. “I was kind of more like a Lord of the Rings guy, in that sense, so they weren’t films I was drawn to,” Mescal added.

The 28-year-old’s frankness is earning some appreciation in the YouTube comments. “He’s right on the money there,” wrote one. “Dude wants to branch out the normal way and not get swept up in the superhero junkyard. Respect!” Others were entertained by Mescal visibly biting his tongue: “lol he had a hard time answering that, like he was trying his best not to say he hates those types of movies lmfao.” Some, meanwhile, are skeptical he’s not going to change his mind one day: “We’ll see if he changes his tune when they offer him 40 Morbillion dollars.”

Well, it looks like Kevin Feige can cross Mescal’s name off his “to get” list. At least we can still dream about Cillian Murphy one day showing up or — better yet — Irish Queen Ayo changing her mind and coming back.

When Irish star Paul Mescal said during an interview that meeting King Charles III at the London premiere of Gladiator II was not on his list of priorities, the public clicked their tongues thinking he had insulted the sovereign. On the contrary, according to one expert.

As per the late Queen Mother’s biographer Gareth Russell, the reaction to the actor’s statement is “overblown.” He defended the actor, saying that he listened to the clip and noted that Mescal was “really just trying to be quite clear that he wasn’t meeting his head of state.”

“However, if you listen to the rest of the clip, he’s not rude about the King. He doesn’t insult Britain or the monarchy,“ Russell explained: “The frustration from some Irish actors is that various journalists seem to think they’re British, and they’re often included amongst British actors.“

Mescal was asked if it was wild seeing Charles in person for the first time at the royal premiere of Gladiator II he replied: “It’s never something I thought was on the bingo cards. I’m Irish, so it’s not on the list of priorities, but it’s an amazing thing for Ridley (Scott) because I know how important that is for him. So to see his film celebrated in that context was pretty special.” When pressed about what he said to the King he shared that he just nodded and smiled along because he had trouble hearing what Charles was saying with his “head in such a frenzy.”

Russell further analyzed Mescal’s words saying: “He then goes on to say that he knew that meeting the King was a really big deal for his friend and director, Sir Ridley Scott, because Ridley is a British subject, and it was a great honor to see the monarch there and that was lovely for Mescal to see because he’s worked with Ridley Scott.”

The royal author denied that Mescal was “insulting Britain or the King” but “just trying to be fairly clear that he’s not British and that he’s a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.” He urged viewers to listen intently to the whole interview so they can see that he was only making “a clear distinction between being an Irish citizen who was meeting a foreign head of state, but thinking that that was lovely for his British colleagues.”

I don’t think there was any insult meant behind it. Obviously there is a long history with many Irish nationalists and Republicans being anti the British monarchy. But I think if you listen to what Mescal was saying, he was just being very clear, proud of a southern Irish identity, but not in any way, I think, personally insulting to the King at all.

Mescal, Scott, and the rest of the cast of Gladiator II met Charles ahead of the screening of the film at the Odeon Luxe Cinema on Nov. 13. Videos from the event showed the cast lining up on the red carpet and briefly engaged in a conversation with the King. Mescal’s interaction with Charles was very brief indeed as seen in the clip above he’s just smiling and nodding. The questions directed at him during his interview were deemed tone deaf by many considering the ugly history between Ireland and Britain.

Good things take time, but 25 years for a sequel? Ridley Scott has revealed why Gladiator 2 took more than two decades to make — and it’s equal parts silly and amusing.

Writing a sequel to a cinematic masterpiece like Gladiator — especially after your original hero gets killed off — seems like a pretty solid excuse to wait 25 years. But Scott wasn’t sweating there too much. The director recently revealed that the toughest challenge in making Gladiator 2 wasn’t finding a replacement for Maximus, but getting a 6,000-pound non-human warrior on his set which he couldn’t do for the first film despite all efforts.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott spilled the tea about everything that went on behind the cameras of Gladiator 2. And while we were surprised to find out that Timothée Chalamet could have been Lucius in place of Paul Mescal, we’re more amused by how Scott’s demand to get a literal beast on his set stopped him from making Gladiator 2 any sooner. If you couldn’t guess who the beast is despite all the hints yet — it’s a rhinoceros.

The director revealed that while shooting the first Gladiator film in 1999, he talked to animal trainers about bringing a 6,000-pound rhino onto his set. However, his ambitions were watered down when he was told that horned animals were too difficult to control. Undeterred, Scott then took the technical route and tried to get a CGI rhino rendered for the movie. But this time, the budget constraints stopped him from getting the rhinoceros into the Colosseum.

And so, producer Doug Wick revealed in a 2020 interview that it became a running joke among Scott and his crew that “If we ever do a sequel, Ridley gets his rhino.” So Gladiator 2 wasn’t becoming a reality unless Scott figured out how to get this giant animal on the set. Fast forward to the sequel’s release, and guess what? Ridley finally got his wish. And, true to form, he couldn’t resist bragging that the “rhino was real right down to his legs.”

In another interview with Empire, Scott revealed how the animal was brought to life to square off against Lucius in the Colosseum. “Computerisation and AI — you have to embrace it,” he said. So by “real,” he meant that he had “a computer read every molecule and wrinkle on a rhino and then cut it on a thick piece of plastic, absolutely as a rhino’s body, which is then tailored to a skeleton shape.” And there you go, we have a rhino who can run “40 miles an hour, spin on the spot, wag its head, and snarl,” all on command.

That being said, getting the perfect script for Gladiator 2 wasn’t a simple walk in the Colosseum for Scott either. A prequel, a fantasy where Maximus returns as an immortal warrior, and many more scripts ended up in the trash before the team finally settled on a tale of vengeance led by Maximus’ son Lucius. But did the sequel come any close to the original? You’re free to give the verdict.

Gladiator II has been a blessing for many reasons – Paul Mescal in a skirt, Pedro Pascal in a skirt, the return of a beloved classic in all its glory… The main one, however, has been seeing and hearing the legend that is Denzel Washington willingly and freely dish out tidbits of precious wisdom every chance he gets.

At the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday, the 69-year-old was approached by TikTok content creator Chewkz for acting advice, telling Washington he creates his own work and platform online. The actor was quick with his response: get off your phone and a theater company, any theater company.

You can’t learn to be an actor online. You got to get on the stage. Find a little theater. Anything, even if you’re just the guy holding his spear in the back of the thing — You got to get on stage. That’s where I started. If you want what I got, do what I did.”

Though that might sound dismissive of Chewkz’s work for those who see the potential of social media for the democratization of access to the entertainment industry, don’t get it twisted, Washington was only trying to be encouraging. At the end of the exchange, he turned to the younger man and told him, “I’ll see you at work.” That’s as great of a motivator and confidence boost as you can get from one of the greatest actors of all time.

For the twice-Oscar-winning actor, there’s no greater school than theater because that’s where the actors have the most control, whereas “TV and films are a director’s medium,” he told The Times. That moment on stage is theirs to conduct, there’s no second take or mid-scene notes.

Washington, who got his start at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater, recently stunned The Graham Norton Show viewers by reciting a monologue from Othello, the Shakespeare tragedy he first played at 22 and will reprise, on Broadway, at 70. Paul Mescal, Saoirse Ronan and Eddie Redmayne sat watching him in awe.

Washington may be traditional in his approach to acting, but he’s also one of the biggest champions of young talent in Hollywood. For example, he famously helped Phylicia Rashad pay for Chadwick Boseman and Susan Kelechi’s summer programs at Oxford University when they were students at Howard University.

When he worked with a 19-year-old Glen Powell in The Great Debaters, Washington pushed him “out of the nest,” telling him “You should double-down on yourself. You should give this a shot.” According to the Anyone But You star, when they bumped into each other after his recent breakout fame, the older man joked, “You owe me.”

While directing Michael B. Jordan on 2021’s A Journal for Jordan, Washington connected the younger actor to a storyboard artist who would go on to help him make Creed III, his directorial debut. “That’s D, man. He’s willing to do anything to help. He wants to on knowledge and make art a little easier in however he can help,” Jordan told AP Entertainment.

Lately, Washington has been mentoring Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, who got his blockbuster start in the Ridley Scott mega-production but is returning to the stage in 2025 to do A Streetcar Named Desire again. “It’s the right thing to do, and shows he’s a legitimate, serious actor and has got his head screwed on right,” the older man told Variety.

The duo’s entire conversation for British Vogue is worth a watch, but the final moments may or may not have put this jaded entertainment writer on the verge of tears.

I pray for your generation, because we did not have to deal with what you’ve had to deal with. And it’s our fault for putting it in your hands. There were no nine million opinions of every moment of my day and people that like you and then, suddenly, they hate you, and you don’t understand why.”

If only every person of Washington’s generation was as generous to those now inheriting their legacy.

Paul Mescal has offered his thoughts after Saoirse Ronan clapped back against his comments on The Graham Norton Show, in a moment that promptly went viral last month. 

For context, both Mescal and Ronan were appearing on the talk show to promote their respective films Gladiator II and Blitz. Amid a discussion amongst the guests — which also included Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington — about learning self defence for movie roles, Mescal made a joke about a hypothetical victim of assault using their mobile phone as a form of defence. “Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I’m not going to go ‘phone,’” Mescal said, while making a gesture as though he was answering a phone call. 

The joke received laughs from the audience and the guests, but the room went silent when Ronan candidly reminded everyone of the necessity for women to be constantly conscious of violence. “That’s what girls have to think about all the time,” Ronan said, causing both Redmayne and Mescal to fall silent. After a brief pause, the actress received a round of applause, and the talk show moment took on a life of its own as it rapidly spread across the internet. Now, Mescal himself has responded to both Ronan’s comment and the viral attention it received during a recent interview on The Late Late Show. 

The Normal People star said he was “not surprised” that Ronan’s comment seemed to resonate so majorly, since the reminder she provided was “massively important.” Mescal went on to praise Ronan — whom he starred opposite in 2023’s Foe — saying the actress is “quite often, more often than not, the most intelligent person in the room.” Mescal said was Ronan “spot on” with her comments and that she “hit the nail on the head.” 

Speaking more broadly of the implications of Ronan’s comment, Mescal said it was “good that messages like that are gaining traction, [because] that’s the sort of conversation we should be having on a daily basis.” This sentiment was echoed by fans responding to Mescal’s comments, with one X agreeing that it is “crucial to have these conversations and raise awareness about women’s safety” and another commending Ronan for “spark[ing] important conversations.”

Ronan herself elaborated on the topic when addressing the talk show moment earlier this month. “I think there’s something really telling about the society that we’re in right now,” the actress said on The Ryan Turbidy Show, “and about how open women want to be with the men in their lives.” She said the discourse that arose after her exchange with Mescal was “not something that I had expected,” and described the viral moment as “wild.” 

Thankfully, Ronan assured us that her friendship with Mescal remains intact, saying the actor “completely gets” the issue she was raising in the moment since she has discussed similar topics with him before. The same goes for Washington and Redmayne, whom Ronan said “weren’t debunking anything that I was saying.” It’s welcome news for fans who have long ed this Irish duo, and it might just be the case that the pair will be starring in another movie together, or at least Mescal hopes so.

“Any amount of films I would do with Saoirse,” Mescal told MTV earlier this week. “I’m madly in love with so many [of my co-stars].”  

After over two decades, director Ridley Scott returns to Ancient Rome for Gladiator 2, a sequel to his critically acclaimed 2000’s epic starring Russell Crowe. Unfortunately, while Gladiator 2 has enough star power and breathtaking set pieces, it struggles to hit the same emotional chords as the original.

Set about 19 years after the events of Gladiator, the sequel follows Paul Mescal as the adult version of Lucius, the son of Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). As we quickly discover, Maximus’ sacrifice in the first movie was not enough to make the dream of the Republic a reality in Rome. So, Lucius, as the rightful heir to the throne, had to hide in distant lands while the vicious twin emperors Caracalla (Joseph Quinn) and Geta (Fred Hechinger) seized power for themselves. Rome is a greedy beast, though, and when the armies of the Empire come knocking at his door, Lucius is forced to confront the past he tried so hard to forget.

Gladiator 2 doesn’t explain the minutiae of its game of thrones, preferring to thrust Lucius into a journey to rediscover his fate and risk his life to restore Rome to its former glory. Of course, this quest goes through the arena as Lucius retraces Maximus’ steps to become a champion of the people, rising against the Emperors’ tyranny. It’s a familiar story made to evoke Gladiator’s success. Too familiar, perhaps, as it constantly reminds the audience Gladiator 2 doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first movie.

Let’s start with the best. Gladiator 2 is a beautiful movie filled with eye-popping combat scenes that are more than worth the theater entry. Thanks to 24 years of technological development in special effects, Scott can unleash his imagination and craft astounding gladiatorial battles that make the audience awe. The first movie is a masterpiece in of set pieces, and the sequel makes justice to its memory by shattering expectations regarding how elaborate the Colosseum spectacles can be.

Sure, some of these scenes will challenge your suspension of disbelief, as they don’t acknowledge the architectural limitation of arenas built with sand and stone. Then again, Scott never allowed things like historical accuracy to get in the way of him shooting a movie. So it’s best not to think much about it, sit back, and just enjoy the show. If you manage to do that, you will be entertained.

Nevertheless, Gladiator is an ageless classic not only due to its ability to wonder, but mainly because it uses the epic to spread grandiose messages of honor, duty, and loyalty. By tapping into universal themes, Scott’s epic transcends the limitations of its historical setting, creating a testosterone-infused story that’s highly seductive. Gladiator 2 does the same, but slightly worse.

Counting the parallels between Gladiator and its sequel is impossible because there are too many. Once again, we have bloodthirsty Emperors who use the Colisseum to distract the people of Rome from their misery while depleting the empire’s resources for their amusement. However, Caracalla and Geta don’t have a single scene to flesh out their motivations. That means that, despite the talent of Quinn and Hechinger, they are only a shallow copy of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, shoved into the movie to become oppressors to depose, even though we know nothing.

Mescal suffers from a similar issue. The actor is pouring his heart and soul into Lucius as he tries to give weight to every moment that he’s on the screen. Yet, his character arc is a copy of Maximus’. Once again, we watch as a mighty warrior becomes a slave, is consumed by revenge, and decides to let go of his rage in the name of something greater: the future of Rome. Unfortunately, Gladiator 2 doesn’t manage to get the pacing of Lucius’ rise to glory right, which leaves the awful sensation that we’ve seen the story before — and it was told better elsewhere.

It’s unfair to compare Mescal with Crowe. Crowe fits with Maximus in a way that few actors do with their roles, which is why the general-turned-gladiator is still the star’s most recognizable character. Crowe’s take on Maximus is legendary, and asking Mescal to repeat the feat is unfair. But it seems like Gladiator 2 expects that because instead of giving Mescal a unique adventure, the movie constantly brings Maximus back and forces Lucius to be his shadow.

As for Pedro Pascal, he gets lost in the middle of the plot after a solid first impression, showing the writers didn’t know what to do with new characters. And while it’s nice to see some familiar faces, such as Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, they are often reduced to glorified cameos.

The past also restricts the overall script. Gladiator features a perfect mix of political scheming and bloody combats, so the sequel tries to do likewise. Again, Gladiator 2 mostly mimics the first movie’s main beats, setting up similar twists and betrayals that sabotage any possibility of surprise.

The only major curveball of Gladiator 2 comes in the shape of Denzel Washington. To be fair, Washington’s character doesn’t get the best text to work it. So, it would be understandable if Washington said his lines, got his check, and focused his energy on a more layered role. But no. Washington didn’t come to play in Gladiator 2. He came to win. His Macrinus is the highlight of Gladiator 2, by far, thanks in grand part to Washington’s gravitas. If only he could get a better script, this would easily be a role to consider for the award season.

Washington’s case reflects the issues of Gladiator 2. The sequel was made to be a blockbuster, and it will likely get the box office love it unquestionably deserves. Why wouldn’t it? It has a fantastic cast, juicy action scenes, and a message about integrity that pleases anyone, despite their background. In addition, it was a near-impossible achievement to one-up Gladiator, a movie that set the tone of Hollywood epics for decades. So, the fact the sequel doesn’t sur the original is not even unexpected. The problem is that Gladiator 2 doesn’t even try to do its own thing.

Even if Gladiator 2 has enough fresh pieces to build something new, it still tries to shove everything into the same picture that was Gladiator. In place of a fully-fledged sequel, we get a retelling of what came before, adapted to a new generation. That’s enough to make a good movie, for sure, but it is not enough to make a masterpiece.

Paul Mescal, whose filmography includes three of the most devastating performances ever put to film, says his new movie, The History of Sound with Josh O’Connor, is the saddest thing he’s ever made.

In an interview with Variety to promote his first major blockbuster lead role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, the Irish actor confessed that, out of all the scripts he’s read in his still short but incredibly well-curated career, the gay romance film by Oliver Hermanus (Living, Beauty) “broke his heart the most.”

That is a bold statement to make for an actor whose breakout role came in the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People, also known as one of the most heart-wrenching love stories to grace television screens in the last decade. Even bolder when you consider he received his first Oscar nomination in 2023 for playing a suicidal young father in Charlotte Wells’ beautiful time-capsule directorial debut, Aftersun. He then followed that little happy pill with his third most acclaimed performance in Andrew Haigh’s queer ghost story, All of Us Strangers, as fellow Irishman Andrew Scott’s ambiguous, melancholic neighbor-turned-boyfriend. We’re genuinely concerned about what to expect from The History of Sound now, if Mescal’s comments mean it will out-sad his frankly unbeatable streak of somber.

The actor himself is aware of his “sad boy” reputation and has expressed his fear of being typecast as a tortured soul in the past. “I do want to expand my range in of genre, and scale of film. I have this perpetual fear that if I keep making films like this, people will get bored of me and they’ll think I’m just perpetually sad,” he told Awards Watch in 2023. The projects he has in the pipeline won’t do much in the way of changing this perception, but the one he has coming to theaters this November might.

Mescal’s turn as the son of Russel Crowe’s Maximus, Lucius Verus, in Scott’s return to the arenas of the Roman Empire has been labeled “compelling” and “magnetic as always” in early reviews for the film. Still, it seems his swordplay and bravado did not leave critics or audiences feeling nearly as breathless as they did over the earnestness and emotional vulnerability of past roles. Not for long, however, seeing as the next year or so will see Mescal lead the foreseeably gloomy The History of Sound and Hamnet — both currently in post-production.

In The History of Sound, Mescal and O’Connor (who’s been having an equally exciting ascension into the Hollywood A-list over the last couple of years) play lovers in rural New England during the First World War, who forces to compile “the lives, voices, and music of their American countrymen,” per the film’s IMDb page. In a recent Vanity Fair cover issue, O’Connor described it as a film about “grief, companionship, and music,” as well “as what happens in life when you fall in love with someone, and maybe that connection is broken.”

The 28-year-old actor is so invested in becoming the ultimate king of Pathos that he decided to become an executive producer in the film, telling Variety he plans to launch his own “super small and writer-led” production company one day. Asked whether he’d be primarily looking for films that “emotionally devastating and full of latent trauma,” Mescal replied “Oh yeah, that’s definitely the territory!”

Hamnet we know less about, but considering it will center William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway’s lives after the death of their titular 11-year-old son, we’re not exactly expecting unicorns and rainbows. Mescal stars as the great English playwright and reunites with The Lost Daughter‘s Jessie Buckley in the role of his wife.

Neither have a release date just yet, but both are expected to arrive next year. Mescal might have taken a break from making us cry in 2024, choosing to make us sweat instead, but it sounds like the balance will be restored in 2025 and onwards as he continues to build his legacy as one of the greatest dramatic performers of his generation.

The press tour for Gladiator II is well underway, as the sequel to the 2000 masterpiece film is getting closer to its theater release. Taking over London, Paul Mescal and his co-stars were dressed to the nines for the event and had several fun high-profile encounters, including one from real royalty and Formula 1 royalty.

King Charles III was among those who attended the premiere, pulling up in Bentley State Limousine right on the red carpet. His Highness met the film’s stars and had a cute, yet awkward interaction with film industry royalty Denzel Washington. He also chatted with the director Ridley Scott, Mescal, and Pedro Pascal. Since the king is a Patron of The Film and TV Charity, it made a lot of sense for him to be there.

At the same time, Formula 1 stars Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who race for Scuderia Ferrari, also attended the event and shared a moment with the leading actor that left everyone salivating.

Leclerc and Sainz are not movie stars (yet), but they have the looks and charisma as a back-up for the future. The world’s most unlikely crossover happened as Mescal ed them for an interview, collectively stealing all our hearts.

Since we’re often used to seeing Leclerc and Sainz in their Ferrari gear, people in the comments were stunned to see just how great they clean up in black tuxes. Although it would’ve been even more exciting to see them take some fashion risks and opt for something more exciting than a classical black suit, their red-carpet moment was enough to send our hearts into a flutter.

Luckily, Paul Mescal’s premiere look was more exciting, as he continued his laid-back vibe with one of the best ‘fits on the press tour so far. The actor gave a modern twist to the classical black-suit look thanks to the disheveled and effortless touch on his Gucci single-breasted suit, and untied shirt and no tie, all elevated by his black dress shoes. The Ferrari duo was more polished, both opting for black bowties and perfectly pressed suits.

Since he’s the face for Gucci, Mescal’s entire press tour has featured similar red-carpet suits, thanks his stylist Felicity Kay, highlighting his easygoing and cool personality with a modern, youthful touch thanks to the unbuttoned shirts and casual coats.

Mescal is not a stranger to sports as he used to play Gaelic football but he also expressed his “nerdy” love for Formula 1. He attended the Austin Grand Prix and also revealed he will return to the paddock at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Naturally, the world was thrilled with their red-carpet interaction. Aside from being at the top of the game in their industries, the fact that the three men are so easy on the eyes wasn’t overlooked by internet fans. “What a dynamic trio! Love seeing these talents from different worlds come together. Excited for ‘Gladiator II’!” wrote a fan.

Some even got more graphic, forgetting the internet is an open place that can come back to haunt you. “why can’t men just normalize kissing each other,” funnily wrote a .

With several more Gladiator II red carpet premieres, it’s exciting to see what else Paul Mescal will wear, and what other famous stars will grace the red carpet. After all, if the King of England can make an appearance, there’s absolutely no telling what other monumental figures will show their faces at future Gladiator II events.

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal is on the cusp of superstardom and becoming an A-lister. However, there’s one word he despises his films being called. So stop calling them that, okay?

In Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, Mescal plays Lucius Verus – the son of Maxmius (Russell Crowe) and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). After being taken prisoner by the Roman army, he steps up as a gladiator and fights for his survival. Oh, and there are sharks and rhinos in the Colosseum. Look, any movie featuring those bad boys of the animal kingdom instantly makes this a must-watch for audiences around the world. Seriously, just take our money already!

Early reactions for Gladiator II praised the epic film. Mescal, in particular, has been singled out for his stellar performance as Lucius and carrying the weighty expectations of this long-gestating sequel. 

The actor is out and about on a media tour at the moment, promoting the film and discussing his own acting career. Speaking to The Times, he opened up about the only thing he hates his movies being called. He said:

“Over the last few years people have been talking about films as content. That’s a filthy word. It’s not ‘content’, it’s f***ing work.”

Mescal explained how there are two different industries at play. The first consists of people who make soulless content for social media likes and their 15 minutes of fame, while the second requires actual craft and ability, and that’s the camp filmmaking falls into. For him, it’s all about “artistic integrity” – not content. It’s an interesting debate, as some may argue the likes of Instagram Reels and TikTok videos also contain creativity and merit their own existence, but that’s a discussion for the internet to fight about.

Considering the importance and popularity of the original Gladiator film, the role of Lucius was always going to be a major gamble for Paul Mescal. Sequels are often dubbed cash grabs and actors need to work harder to convince audiences that these films deserve their place in the lore.

In Mescal’s case, his character’s history gets “upgraded” in Gladiator II, which might not appease fans of the original movie. In Gladiator, Lucius, played by Spencer Treat Clark, is revealed to be named after his father, Lucius, but he ires the bravery and warrior escapades of Maximus. In the sequel, Lucilla reveals to her son that Maximus is actually his real father in a Days of Our Lives kind of twist.

Mescal knew of this change to the backstory in his initial discussions with Scott. He told Entertainment Weekly: “He mentioned it in the talk, but then it’s an affronting thing to see it written on the page, and [to have] that responsibility fall on your shoulders is interesting.”

Whether Gladiator II proves capable of building the same legacy and reverence as its predecessor remains to be seen. However, no one can deny the ingredients for success are all present. How can a film that features the likes of Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Derek Jacobi not be good? Regardless of what anyone thinks of Gladiator II, just don’t call it content. It’ll make Paul Mescal mad and he might just throw a shark at you in retaliation.

Saoirse Ronan is every woman’s hero for putting Paul Mescal in his place after his cringe joke. The two were guests on The Graham Norton Show when Mescal proved men’s privilege regarding violence against women and girls.

Saoirse Ronan, with several Academy Award nominations under her belt, is giving Oscar buzz again for her performance in The Outrun, and was on the talk show to promote her latest film, alongside a filled with men. Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington were there to promote the Gladiator II, and Eddie Redmayne was there to talk about his latest series, The Day of the Jackal.

The Academy Award-winning actor plays a ruthless British assassin in his new series based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel of the same name. During the night, Redmayne discussed how he learned self-defense from a specialist combat expert when preparing for the role. He also noted that he was taught to use his phone as a weapon to jab an attacker in the neck, which led to a very uncomfortable moment.

Saoirse Ronan silenced all the men after Paul Mescal’s joke 1732p

Following Redmayne’s explanation, Paul Mescal, who plays a gladiator in Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 historical epic, had a cringe remark. The Normal People star joked that he would never think of pulling his phone out in case he was attacked.

“Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I’m not going to go ‘phone,’” the actor asked, gesturing as if to stop and take out his phone, and laughing. The men on the couch laughed with Redmayne noting, “That’s a very good point,” but Ronan interfered, “That’s what girls have to think about all the time.” Immediately, Redmayne and Mescal fell silent.

“Am I right ladies?” Ronan said after a brief pause, leading to a round of applause from the audience.

Saoirse Ronan’s applause in the studio wasn’t the only reaction she received. The actress quickly went viral online, as people couldn’t get enough of her comeback. At the same time, they clapped back at how the men had the luxury of joking about this situation.

“Saoirse Ronan gagging men we love to see it,” wrote a fan online. “The way she waited to hear about their privilege, then hit them with a reality check,” wrote another.

Another added, “That’s what girls have to think of all the time” this cuts deep on a reality check.

“Crazy to see how when the guys spoke they were so full of energy but when she said ‘Am I right ladies’ they just started mumbling lmao she got them FLABBERGASTED,” someone else wrote.

According to UN Women, almost one in three women (an estimated 736 million women) around the world have been subjected to violence against women at least once in their lives. That includes physical or sexual assault from a partner, non-partner, or both. At the same time, most violence against women happens by current or former partners, with more than 26% of women around the world subjected to domestic violence.

Ronan’s history of advocating for domestic violence goes way back. In 2016, she starred in Hozier’s music video for “Cherry Wine,” where she played a domestic violence victim. The two also paired up with several charities from across the world, including Irish Charity Safe Ireland, to raise awareness and the victims, pledging to donate the proceeds from the single.

There are many courses, tips, and other methods of protecting themselves in public, which Saoirse Ronan, despite her international status and fame, knows all too well, giving her the opportunity to make other men uncomfortable about the reality most women live in.

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