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Paul Mescalknows starring in thelong-awaited sequel to director Ridley Scott’sGladiatormakes for “an intimidating feat.”
While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterfor a feature story on hisAcademy Awardnomination forAftersunpublished Wednesday, Mescal, 27, said hedid not audition to star in the upcoming film, but was offered the part after a personal meeting with Scott, 85.
“And I’m so proud I get to make it,” the actor said of his casting. “It’s an intimidating feat. It’s something I’m nervous about but something I feel like I can do.”
Asked about any sort of significant physical training he will undertake to play a warrior, Mescal told the outlet that he does not care for “a focus” on actor’s appearances in action and superhero films like the upcoming sequel.
Ryan Pfluger
“Of course there’s a physical robustness required for the character, but past that, I’m not interested,” Mescal toldTHR. “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.”
“Sometimes I see films and I’m like, ‘That person doesn’t look real,’ " he added of other films in the action genre.
The actor has previously expressed a preference for continuing to work in independent film rather than join large franchises. In September 2022, Mescal spoke with PEOPLE about playing against type from hisNormal Peopledays in his more recent projects; at the time, he indicatedone major movie franchise he would be interested inafter his success in independent films.
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“If I get to keep making indie films for the rest of my life, I’ll be a happy man,” he told PEOPLE at the time.
“Something likeTop Gun: Maverickwould be more interesting to me,” Mescal added, when asked whether there is a cinematic universe he would like to join. “I love that movie.”
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While speaking withTHRon his 27th birthday recently, Mescal agreed that this year’s birthday may be his best ever.
“It’s been a f—— wild year,” he told the outlet. “Many ups and downs. It’s been kind of spectacular in that sense. Yeah.”
source: people.com
