Paul Mescal's Concerns Amidst "Gladiator 2" Role
Irish Actor Reflects on Fame, Social Media, and Craft in Hollywood
Although Paul Mescal is already a rising celebrity in Hollywood, he hopes that his performance in "Gladiator 2" won't make him a household name abroad.
The Irish actor, who gained international attention for his first film, "Normal People," and went on to get praise for his performances in "Aftersun," "The Lost Daughter," and "All of Us Strangers," said in an interview with The Times UK that he does not want his notoriety to have a negative impact on his life.
"I'm not sure what the distinction will be. Is that maybe naive? Are you just going to be stopped by more people on the street? If that's the case, I'd get quite sad and hope it's not. Next year, I'll have an answer, but if that's how [the movie] affects my life, I'm going to be in trouble. The 27-year-old actor said, "I'd have to move on and do an obscure play no one wants to see."
The Oscar-nominated actress also discussed how social media following and quantity of followers shouldn't be taken into account while casting.
"What is the purpose of this?" Mescal enquired. It really terrifies me. Acting is never about how many Instagram followers you have. The actor also finds it offensive when movies and TV series are called "content".
"For the last several years, movies and television series have been discussed as content. That term is dirty. It's labor, not content—f***ing work. Not to be a snob, but there are two separate industries at the same time. one that lacks creative integrity and cares not what it should. Go crazy and create content that takes Instagram followers into account, whatever... The other, however, is the art of filmmaking, which includes directing, lighting, and production design. It has always existed. It sustains the lives of artists. Additionally, viewers like challenges, he said.
Mescal is starring in the follow-up to his 2000 smash film "Gladiator," which is being directed by Ridley Scott. Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen are featured in the film. "On November 22, Gladiator 2 is scheduled to open in cinemas.
Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix had the lead roles in the original movie, which took home many Oscars, including best picture and best actor.
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