Paul Mescal asserts he would emerge victorious in a battle against Pedro Pascal, acknowledging Pascal’s formidable presence as an antagonist on screen.
Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal are starring in Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, Gladiator II. Despite their onscreen rivalry, the two actors share a strong friendship offscreen. In a joint interview with Empire, Mescal and Pascal opened up about their bond.
During the interview, Paul mentioned that if he were to spar with his co-star, he would bet on himself. He jokingly added that Pascal would probably be the funnier one if there was a competition between them.
Paul shared, “I believe I could win in a fight against Pedro, but he’s quite crafty.” He continued, “Pedro is incredibly funny, but he’s got a hidden strength. There’s definitely a beast in there.” On the other hand, Pascal referred to Mescal as “Brick Wall Paul.”
The Last of Us actor admitted, “Paul has become incredibly strong.” He added, “I’d rather jump off a building than face him in a fight again. Going toe-to-toe with someone as fit, talented, and much younger as him…”
In Gladiator II, Mescal will play Lucius, while Pascal will portray Marcus Acacius. The story follows Lucius seeking vengeance upon returning to the Roman Empire.
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The official synopsis states, “Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage and a desire to restore Rome’s glory, he looks to the past for strength and honor.”
During an appearance on Entertainment Tonight, Mescal humorously compared the clash between Gladiator II and Wicked to Barbie and Oppenheimer, dubbing it Wickdiator.
He joked, “Wickdiator doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? I’d go with Glicked if it has a similar impact to Barbie and Oppenheimer.”
Gladiator II is set to premiere on November 15, 2024.
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