Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius in Gladiator 2, explains why he didnt reach out to Maximus actor Russell Crowe for advice for the Ridley Scott sequel.

Russell Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his towering performance in “Gladiator.” You might expect that Paul Mescal, star of “Gladiator II,” would reach out to him for advice on how to get into that 2nd century mindset.

Actor Russell Crowe is returning to the world of epic movies in a newly announced role that will see him go up against the Roman Empire once again.

Ridley Scott is finally here with Paul Mescal and others to present Gladiator 2. But Scott's initial plan involving Russell Crowe also deserves praise.

Paul Mescal wants Russell Crowe to pick up the phone. The Normal People star, 28, plays Crowe’s on screen son Lucius in the forthcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic Gladiator, which won Crowe an Oscar for Best Actor upon release.

Paul Mescal recently revealed that he has not spoken to Russell Crowe since accepting his role in the Gladiator sequel. The 28-year-old Irish actor plays Lucius in Gladiator II, which was filmed in 2000 with Crowe as the leading man.

Director Ridley Scott chimed in, supporting Paul’s choice by drawing a parallel between the James Bond franchise and 'Gladiator'. He mentioned that actors taking on a new version of an iconic role rarely consult their predecessors.