Paul Mescal chickened out of his initial meeting with Denzel Washington on ‘Gladiator II’

It’s adjacent to opportunity that Gladiator II was a large measurement up for its star, Paul Mescal. The character leads an all-star cast, and during a caller quality on The Graham Norton Show, he explained conscionable really intimidating he recovered that acquisition to be. In fact, he was truthful intimidated that he chickened retired of his first opportunity to meet nan two-time Oscar winner.

“The first time that I was really moving pinch Denzel, he was up successful nan box, and I was rolling astir fighting immoderate monkeys aliases something,” Mescal explained. “At nan extremity of nan day, I was like, ‘I must spell up and present myself to Denzel.'”

Mescal continued, saying that he worked to get himself successful nan correct headspace for nan encounter.

“I was stood astatine nan bottommost of nan steps, and I stood location for a mates of minutes, and I said, ‘Not today,'” he continued. “So I bailed retired and I ran to my dressing room — like, ‘Tomorrow I’m going to beryllium a brave boy.'”

Mescal was right, and nan adjacent time nan 2 really sewage nan chance to meet: “The 2nd day, I waited astatine nan bottommost of nan stairs, and I was like, ‘Just gotta enactment put.’ And Denzel walks down, and it was like, ‘Oh, God, present we go.’ And he shook my hand, and it conscionable felt extraordinary.”

Mescal added that Washington looked astatine him for what felt for illustration ages earlier simply saying: “Stop workin’ out, man.”

Elsewhere successful nan interview, Washington took clip to praise his younger co-star. “Let maine opportunity this: This kid delivers,” he said. “I’m a beautiful bully actor. I’m serious, spot me. I saw it erstwhile Russell [Crowe, prima of Gladiator] did it — he delivered. This kid delivered.”

Gladiator II hits theaters connected Nov. 22, 2024.