Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal SLAMS superhero physiques: 'The actors are lying'

Paul Mescal believes certain actors are lying when they discuss their dieting and exercise plans whilst bulking up for a role.

Due to the emergence of superhero movies and comic book adaptations over the last two decades, actors that are cast as heroes are often required to add on plenty of muscle in order to achieve the look of the character from the source material.

What are the top 10 most popular shows on Amazon Prime right now?

Tuesday 10 February 2026, 14:38

What are the top 10 most popular shows on Netflix right now?

Monday 9 February 2026, 15:27

Mescal is currently training hard to get in shape for Gladiator 2, but he insists he will only take the shape required for the story, akin to what Russell Crowe did for the first movie in 2000.

“I think it goes without saying that if you’re playing a gladiator you’ve got to be fit and strong," the Aftersun star told Esquire.

READ MORE: Paul Mescal HAS NOT spoken to Russell Crowe about Gladiator 2 role

"But I think a film like Gladiator is different because, to me, it’s not a superhero film where half that gig is, to my mind, just getting big and strong. This is like, Russell had to be strong in this because it makes sense for his character.

“And I think there is way more interesting questions and conversations to be had about films like this rather than, ‘How many calories did you eat in a day?’

"Which I’m convinced is always… Whenever you hear somebody saying they ate 7,000 calories in a day, I think they’re lying.

“But yeah, it’s been really interesting. It’s not something that I’ve done before, but I love my trainer. It’s starting to get addictive. Big boots to fill, for sure.”

Russell Crowe not involved in Gladiator sequel

At the conclusion of Gladiator, Maximus loses his life after a fight with Emperor Commodus, so it is tough to see how Crowe would return for the sequel unless it was a flashback or dream sequence.

The actor has confirmed that he likely won't be involved.

"I'm sure at some point in time they'll want to ask me about something, but they haven't brought anything up in a while," he previously told RTE Radio One.

"It's an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus' passing, so it doesn't really involve me at all.

"I hear that young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they're picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor. I think that's a very smart idea within the world of the film that we created."