Ridley Scott Blames Paul Mescal for “Gladiator 2” Flop

Director Ridley Scott has reportedly pointed to lead actor Paul Mescal as the primary reason behind the underwhelming performance of Gladiator II. This claim was recently brought to light by Hollywood journalist Matthew Belloni.

According to reports, Scott felt that Mescal lacked the necessary “masculinity” to embody the protagonist, Lucius. This perceived deficiency allegedly led to Mescal being dropped from Scott’s subsequent project, the post-apocalyptic thriller Dog Stars, with Jacob Elordi stepping in as his replacement.

Gladiator II hit theaters in the fall of 2024. Despite a massive production budget of $310 million, the film struggled to find its footing, ultimately grossing $462 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Dog Stars is also facing significant box-office hurdles, managing only $18 million during its opening weekend.

Mescal is currently involved in the ambitious series of Beatles biopics, where he is set to portray Paul McCartney, with a projected release in 2028. Ridley Scott, on the other hand, is preparing to helm an adaptation of Treasure Island starring Hugh Jackman.

Photo: Getty

Source: Film.ru