Gladiator II’s Denzel Washington Teases ‘Great’ Performances by Paul Mescal & Pedro Pascal

Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal are set to square off in the arena in Gladiator II. The duo’s performances have already garnered praise from their co-star, Denzel Washington, ahead of the film’s release on November 22.

What Did Denzel Washington Say About Gladiator II?

In an interview with Variety, Washington commended the performances of Mescal and Pascal in the “huge” sequel to Gladiator.

“Not good. Great. Both of them,” Washington told Variety when asked if his co-stars were good in the Gladiator sequel. “It’s a hard act to follow, and Paul pulled it off. He’s his own gladiator.”

What was Washington’s role in the film?

“I didn’t have to do anything but this [sips water with pinky up]. That was my job,” Washington joked. “Just twirl the glass, twirl the goblet, and hold whatever I had in my other hand. And make sure I don’t step on my gown.”

Washington ended the Gladiator II discussion by teasing that a new trailer would be coming on September 23.

Mescal headlines Gladiator II as Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus, who is taken prisoner by the Roman army and forced to train as a gladiator. Pascal plays Roman general Marcus Acacius, while Washington portrays an arms dealer named Macrinus.

“Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist,” the official synopsis reads. “With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”

Gladiator II also stars Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Derek Jacobi. Ridley Scott returns to direct based on a script by David Scarpa. Scott’s Gladiator won five Oscars, including Best Picture.

(Source: Variety)