Is Paul Mescal A Movie Star?

[just444]

just watched gladiator ii. the difference between an actor and a movie star has never been more apparent lmao
- feral (@ncrmalpeople) November 19, 2024

Gladiator 2 is getting...fine reviews, but a few people noted that lead Paul Mescal was maybe not the right casting for a big action blockbuster role

denzel on the other hand ……………. an actor AND

Comments

[glider]

every time I've heard about this movie I just think back to when Barry Keoghan was rumored for it (in Paul's role ig)

[genbu_no_miko24]

From what I heard Barry was supposed to be one of the emperors so either Joseph Quinn or Fred Hechinger's role which I could see.

[donaestrangera]

it was Joseph Quinn's role

[masterofmystery]

nah i think he was supposed to be the baddie, like joseph quinn's role?

[tetrazzinichikn]

Way harsh Tai

[fyuf]

As someone who hasn’t finished Normal People (it’s fine Idk I’ll get to it), I thought Paul did really well in G2.

I also have never seen the original because I can’t stand Russel Crowe so I can’t compare the two.

Denzel was always going to outshine everyone else but I think what helps is that he embraces the ridiculousness of the whole thing (sharks in the coliseum!) while Paul pretty much has to play it straight.

Pedro is absolutely NOT lifeless idk what that dud’s problem is.

[pilotis]

I was also a bit like "her?.." when I read about Paul being in this, I saw the trailer and I understand what the critics mean

[bttrsondaughter]

if you have to ask, then no. i do think there are some caveats here though, this is his big movie star play but it is...an unusual play! ridley scott gives it some interesting credibility, it being legasequel/IP but NOT a big dumb marvel movie with a multi-year contract. timothée passed this test with Wonka and Dune 2, paul might not. still a great actor!

in all honesty, i am more interested in the "pedro pascal as movie star" convo! for him this is the like the true test of what he's been building over the past what? three to four years?

[dnttllhrry]

Where is this Pedro conversation happening? I don't think people doubt he is a movie star.

[bttrsondaughter]

i mean. is he? we ("we" being the nerds over on film twitter and the blank check subreddit) had a two year long conversation about timothée being a movie star but pedro is? i 100% believe he is a tv star (honestly that might mean more than being a movie star nowadays), but i think with Gladiator + F4 we'll see if he is a movie star.