Hollywood actor Paul Mescal underwent a complete body transformation for his role in the soon-to-be released film Gladiator II.
The 28-year-old Irish heartthrob said he adopted an incredible fitness and eating regimen to prepare for the role of Lucius Verus – the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus in the original 2000 film.
The actor gained 8 kg for this role.
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Mescal told Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington that achieving the physique requires a lot of “consistency.”
He admitted, “When I was initially cast I had this vague idea in my mind that I was like, ‘Maybe I’ll make Gladiator generic’ and then I[thought]I would be doing a disservice to the film.” I am.”
“You eat a lot of chicken. You lift heavy things continuously for some time.
“In movies like this, it’s like you get everything you want – you get one of the best trainers in the world, you’re told what to eat, when to eat.”
Mescal admitted that the physical training was the easier part than learning the “emotional landscape” of his character.
He also confessed that his cheat meal is pasta carbonara.
The Irish actor said he got the role after only talking to director Ridley Scott on Zoom for 30 minutes.
Gladiator II is the sequel to the 2000 cult classic, Gladiator.
Scott is directing the sequel 24 years after directing the original film.
The original film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
Denzel Washington co-stars as Macrinus, a Roman businessman and merchant who plots to take over Rome, Connie Nielsen, who reprized her role as Lucilla, and Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla.
Nielsen said the role was demanding.
“I mean, I’m not going to lie – it’s a great life. But you know, I was just talking with Fred, it means I get up at 4 in the morning,” she said.
“They wake up at 7 a.m. — I have a lot more time to prepare for all those costumes, all that stuff.”
Mescal also talked about the use of CGI effects in the film.
“I know how Ridley works – he minimizes the CGI so that what the audience sees is pretty close to what we’re experiencing on the day because he shoots multi-camera,” he said.
“So, you’re not resetting and shooting like a wide shot versus a close-up. What you as a spectator are seeing is almost the same as what we experience in the Colosseum.
Gladiator II will be released in theaters on November 14.
