Ridley Scott He directed the second highest-grossing film of 2000, Gladiatorconverted the New Zealander Russell Crowe into a Hollywood star and took five Oscars. Almost 25 years later, the British director, about to turn 87, has returned to theaters to try to repeat the feat with Gladiator II. This time, by actors who are a real attraction for today’s audience. Among them is Denzel Washington, Peter Pascal… AND Paul Mescal.
The film, which has recorded part of its locations in Morocco, Malta and Englandhas not yet been released on American soil. Even so, it has taken the international market by storm with nearly 90 million dollars raised on its first weekend. The imagery of this film (revenge, death, war and gladiators) has little to do with the cinema to which Mescal had accustomed us.
PAUL MESCAL AND PEDRO PASCAL FIGHTING IS THE ROMAN EMPIRE! #GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/S8J1aCxcaC
— best of paul mescal (@paulmescalfiles) July 9, 2024
With his leading roles in independent productions such as Normal People (2020), Aftersun (2022) and Unknown (2023), the 28-year-old Irishman has become a true icon for the younger generations. We could easily say that we are facing the new Brad Pitt either Leonardo DiCaprio. With Gladiator IIMescal takes a gigantic step in his career, showing that he can also shine in commercial blockbusters.
Paul Mescal photographed by Mario Sorrenti for Harper’s Bazaar, The Icons Issue. pic.twitter.com/LhHp83KP8L
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 16, 2023
It all started with ‘Normal People’
We couldn’t talk about Paul Mescal’s acting career without mentioning his first role that had global impact. The Irishman plays Connell in Normal Peoplethe series that premiered in the middle of the pandemic and is based on the novel of the same name by Sally Rooneythe writer that everyone continues to talk about ever since. Daisy Edgar-Joneswho plays Marianne in the fiction, completes the cast of the production.
The series, like most feature films in which Mescal has participated since then, has a dramatic aura that surrounds her. It tells the story of two young people from a small Irish town who, over several years, go through emotional and social ups and downs as they try to understand themselves and each other. The plot allows us to investigate the complexities of human relationships and addresses themes such as love, vulnerability and the search for identity.
— vitor (@connellwaIdron) November 23, 2023
Normal People It allowed Mescal to gain a foothold in the cinema indieof which he is already one of its greatest exponents today. The series is almost a fiction emotional terroras the content creator has once joked Andrea Compton. The point is that the productions that Mescal has worked on since have not been much happier either.
A genius at making us cry
Aftersun (2022) was the Irishman’s next big release. The feature film by the new director Charlotte Wells It also has that melancholic vibe, and tells the story of a father (Paul Mescal) and a daughter (Frankie Coco) who travel together to a Turkish holiday resort in the 90s. Then came Unknown (2023) together with Andrew Scotta film that mixes a love story between two men with fantasy and science fiction. For those who have not seen them, prepare the Kleenex.
paul mescal as harry in ‘all of us strangers’ pic.twitter.com/I5IwnEef4x
— best of paul mescal (@paulmescalfiles) April 20, 2024
The dynamic of dramatic roles has not been at all bad for him in his career. With Aftersunreceived a nomination for best actor at the Oscarsas well as at the Film Critics Awards, the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes. Unknown gave him his third BAFTA nomination.
Clear commitment to melodrama
Far from getting rid of this type of roles, it seems that Mescal wants to continue exploiting melodrama. Apart from Gladiator IIthe actor has recently worked in other similar films.
just rolled Hamneta film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell. He has also participated in The History of Soundabout two young men who fall in love while traveling through rural England in 1919. “Of all the scripts I have read, this is the one that has broken my heart the most”he stated a few weeks ago in an interview about this historical romantic drama directed by Oliver Hermanus.
Seeing the history of dramas behind it, it is surprising that this film could turn out to be even worse. “His bar for heartbreaking stories is pretty high. We will continue to suffer with him and give thanks,” a user on X (formerly Twitter) correctly noted.
Let’s remember that Paul Mescal has made Normal People, Aftersun and All of Us Strangers, and he just filmed Hamnet, so his bar for stories that break your heart is quite high. Nothing, we will continue suffering with him and giving thanks.
— Pedro J. García (@fuertecito) November 14, 2024
The actor of a generation
Among the Zeta generation there should not be many who do not know who Paul Mescal is or who have not seen any of his productions. Still, the actor’s fear of falling into oblivion is there. “I hope the public doesn’t get bored of me”he noted in a recent interview with the magazine Vanity Fair. Relax, Paul. Given what we have seen, it seems that this is not going to happen in the near future.
#Normal #People #Gladiator #Paul #Mescal #generational #icon
