Paul Mescal refused to give up these 2 vices for ‘Gladiator 2’ physique — here’s where he ‘drew a line’

Paul Mescal was fresh to participate nan arena connected his ain terms.

The “Gladiator II” star revealed that while getting into highest beingness information for the upcoming film, location were 2 things he refused to springiness up.

“I was moving pinch a trainer who circled maine for illustration a shark and said, ‘There is simply a canvas to activity with,'” Mescal, 28, shared during an quality connected nan U.K.’s “Graham Norton Show,” connected Friday, per US Weekly. “He went to town, and I saw him each day. It was fun.”

“I did everything he asked but I for illustration to drink, and I for illustration to smoke,” nan character admitted, “so I drew a statement successful nan soil wherever those were concerned.”

But it’s each astir balance, arsenic Mescal did eat “a batch of chickenhearted and lifted dense things.”

“Gladiator II” is group complete 2 decades aft nan events of nan original “Gladiator” film, which starred Russell Crowe. In nan sequel, Mescal plays nan grown-up Lucius Verus II, nan boy of Crowe’s character, Maximus, who ends up forced into slavery and becomes a gladiator to gain his freedom, overmuch for illustration his dada did successful nan first movie.

Mescal besides touched connected really he landed nan domiciled aft speaking to director Ridley Scott over Zoom for conscionable 30 minutes.

“Ridley does not discarded time,” he told big Graham Norton. “I thought location would beryllium camera tests and auditions, but we Zoomed for half an hour, said for 10 mins astir nan part, and past 20 minutes astir Gaelic football, his dog, and his wife.”

“I thought location would beryllium more, but he called a fewer weeks later to connection maine nan part,” Mescal continued. “I deliberation he conscionable goes by small heart connected group and disconnected and I’m very gladsome that’s nan measurement it went.”

The movie besides stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington — who portrays erstwhile enslaved and Lucius’ mentor, Macrinus.

Mescal reflected connected gathering nan Oscar winner, 69, connected set.

“It was a large time successful my life – it was amazing. I spent nan first time thinking, ‘I must spell present myself to him,’ and I stood location for respective minutes earlier I [decided], ‘Not today,’” nan character reminisced. “The adjacent time I decided to beryllium a brave boy.”

In July, Mescal showed disconnected his beingness translator aft Pascal, 49, shared a shirtless image of nan “Aftersun” alum connected societal media wearing conscionable a burlap skirt and golden cuffs successful his trailer.

In nan Instagram picture, Mescal flashed a grin while wearing a clone scar and a flimsy beard.

Pascal captioned nan snap, on pinch a poster for nan film, “Come and get it. #Gladiator2 November 22.”

Fans flocked to nan comments conception to springiness their stamp of approval, pinch 1 personification writing, “This is simply a batch for a Monday,” while different chimed in, “Let’s get em papa.”

“Gladiator II” hits theaters connected Friday, November 22.