Paul Mescal says he couldn't give up 'drinking and smoking' for Gladiator 2 physique

Ridley Scott's Gladiator II is among one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The sequel to the classic 2000 movie focuses on the life of grown-up Lucius, played by actor Paul Mescal.

The first reactions to the movie are in, and Mescal has received rave reviews for his performance and action sequences. To achieve his ripped body, the actor had gone to great lengths to transform into his character.

He had to follow a tough regime to achieve the role of a Roman warrior. However, there were still some things that the actor refused to give up.

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Speaking on the UK's Graham Norton Show, Mescal said, as per US Weekly, “I ate a lot of chicken and lifted heavy things.''

“I was working with a trainer who circled me like a shark and said, 'There is a canvas to work with',” Mescal continued,“He went to town, and I saw him every day. It was fun.”

Mescal added that he did everything but the two things that he was not able to give up were smokingand drinking.

“I did everything he asked but I like to drink and I like to smoke,” the actor admitted, “so I drew a line in the sand where those were concerned.”

However, the actor managed to strike a balance as he ate “a lot of chicken and lifted heavy things.”

The actor also told host Graham Norton that he got the lead part in the movie after a 30-minute chat with director Scott.

“Ridley does not waste time,” the actor said. “I thought there would be camera tests and auditions, but we Zoomed for half an hour, spoke for 10 mins about the part, and then 20 minutes about Gaelic football, his dog, and his wife.”

He continued, “I thought there would be more, but he called a few weeks later to offer me the part. I think he just goes by instinct on set and off and I’m very glad that’s the way it went.”

More about Gladiator II

Set years after the death of Maximus (Played by Russell Crowe), the movie follows the life of grown-up Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

The official synopsis for the movie reads, "Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. 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."

Apart from Mescal, the movie stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.