Paul Mescal’s Rise to Gladiator Stardom: How He Outshone Timothée Chalamet

Ridley Scott’s Bold Choice Brings a New Face to Hollywood’s Spotlight

In Hollywood’s fiercely competitive arena, it’s no surprise that Timothée Chalamet’s name is attached to nearly every coveted role. With a blockbuster-filled year, including Dune II, an intense Best Actor awards campaign for A Complete Unknown, and filming Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, Chalamet seemed like the natural pick for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. However, a surprising twist saw the iconic director handing the reins to Paul Mescal, the indie darling of Aftersun and Normal People fame.

“Any studio prefers a bankable star,” producer Doug Wick told The Hollywood Reporter. While Chalamet’s global fame might have seemed like a sure bet, Mescal’s breakout performance as Stanley Kowalski in the West End revival of A Streetcar Named Desire shifted perspectives. Paramount executives Daria Cercek and Michael Ireland were so impressed that Wick noted, “No other actor came close.”

For Scott, the decision was personal. A casual viewing of Normal People became an eight-hour binge, solidifying Mescal as the standout choice. “It wasn’t my usual type of show,” Scott admitted, “but I was captivated by the performances.”

Despite concerns about being typecast, Mescal embraced the challenge of a big-budget debut. “A film like Gladiator II is a dream,” Mescal explained. “It’s grand-scale filmmaking rooted in emotional storytelling—a perfect balance.” The collaboration with Scott also set the stage for their next project, Dog Stars, an adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel.

Gladiator II is now in theaters, proving that bold choices can lead to cinematic magic.