Paul Mescal says he 'could inflict real damage' after gruelling training for Gladiator II

Taking the lead role in Ridley Scott's Gladiator II left Paul Mescal feeling like he could 'inflict real damage' after he underwent intense training sessions for the upcoming film.

Stepping into Russell Crowe's sandals for Ridley Scott was a physical challenge that left Paul Mescal stunned by how much real-life damage his training for the film could lead him to make.

After shooting to fame in the 2020 BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People, the Iris actor, 28, has been cast as Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe's Maximus, in Ridley Scott's upcoming film Gladiator II, set for release on November 15.

But to fit the bill, Paul Mescal was forced to undergo gruelling training sessions which led him to work with a fitness coach, ride horses and learn to fight - disciplines he'd had no experience in prior to filming the blockbuster.

As a result, he was then shocked by his own body as he realised the strength he'd gained from months of training and shared how "weird" it really felt as it forced him to make important changes.

"You start feeling like your body can inflict damage, which is weird", he told The Sun, "It changes the way you move and operate. And that’s a fun kind of place to live when it’s make-believe."

He then shared: "On a film this scale you have the best trainer you could ever imagine, you have your food delivered to the door. That requires discipline, but it’s not hard work. That’s just people at the top of their game telling you what to do."

This comes after Saoirse Ronan stunned the actor into silence during a joint appearance with Denzel Washington and Eddie Redmayne on The Graham Norton Show. One conversation left the all-male panel lost for words as the Irish actress, 30, reminded them about acts of violence against women, such as harassment in the public space, among many others.

The panel was joking about filming fights and arguments when Saoirse stopped them to remind them why women need to film evidence of it. Eddie, 42, revealed he was taught how to use a phone to retaliate in the event of an attack during his training for The Day of the Jackal.

Amused by the concept, Paul replied: "Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I'm not going to go 'phone'," as he mimicked taking a phone out his pocket to film. Graham, 61, laughed at the idea and quipped: "Can you hold on a second?"

Shortly after the now-viral moment, Saoirse, 30, revealed a private conversation she'd had with Paul. Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK, Saoirse admitted she is good friends with Paul and the topic raised on Graham's show is not alien to them in their own private discussions. She notably explained: "Paul being one of my very dear friends, I've had conversations like that with him before and he completely gets that and completely understands that."

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