Paul Mescal’s Gladiator Gains: From ‘Who Were You?’ to ‘Bring It On!’
Well, isn’t it just fabulous to see an Irish lad, Paul Mescal, going from “normal” to “transformer” in the blink of an eye? The 28-year-old actor recently confessed that his training for Gladiator II has left him feeling so ripped that he believes his body could “inflict real damage.” I mean, if I had a penny for every time I felt that way after a workout, I’d… well, I’d still be flat broke because I don’t work out! But kudos to you, Paul!
This isn’t your average “I just hit the gym” makeover; no, Mescal’s gone all out! There’s talk of horses, fistfights, and—get this—hoisting weights to become the fierce Lucius of the silver screen. It’s gorgeous to hear that he’s channeling his athletic flair from Gaelic football into mastering his gladiatorial prowess. Either that or kicking imaginary lions… You know, the usual training methods for a Roman gladiator.
The film, which wrangles its way decades after the original, leads Mescal’s character back to Rome, where you can only assume familial drama, plenty of conflict, and some excellent feasting on roasted peacocks awaits. I mean, if anyone knows how to reconnect with their parents after being sent away, it’s probably via a sword fight!
Fit to Fight: Training Like a Gladiator
In a candid chat with Vanity Fair, Paul showcased a bit of humility amidst the brawn, claiming he didn’t want to merely turn into “a Hollywood hunk.” Who knew that the battle to avoid being an underwear model was this real? And here I was thinking it was just another Tuesday.
Throughout his transformation, Mescal’s training regime became less about sculpting a six-pack and more about fight choreography. Quite the noble endeavor! He explained that he wanted to harness the kind of physique that would be more “up for a tussle” than just looking good at the beach. I can picture the director, Ridley Scott, leaning back and saying, “Paul, I need you to channel your inner gladiator, not your inner Kieran, who works out just to impress his mates!”
The Secret to His Success? Heavy Lifting and a Healthy Appetite!
Lucky for Paul, weight lifting isn’t the only delightful perk of transforming into a gladiator. According to our boy, he was also encouraged to eat “everything” he could possibly want. And you thought the trick to being a gladiator was only lifting weights! Burgers and chips? That’s my kind of warrior diet! If eating fries is part of the job, sign me up!
On a less chipper note, Paul was asked to cut down on running as filming neared, focusing solely on building muscle. God forbid he might get lost on the way to fight a lion nowadays! It’s enough to make you weep for the cardio lovers: “Sorry, Paul, no running for the gladiator.” Next thing you know, he’s got more muscle than a seafood market and spends his downtime lifting houses!
The Brick Wall of Rome
Your eyes don’t deceive you; that’s Pedro Pascal calling Mescal “Brick Wall Paul.” Imagine that! We had “Brick House” in the ’70s, and now it’s all about a hunky gladiator named Paul! Talk about living the dream. Joseph Quinn chimed in, calling Paul a proper “unit.” It sounds like a new wrestling promotion waiting to happen, doesn’t it? “Come see the gladiators!”
In a nutshell, if Paul Mescal’s physical transformation doesn’t inspire you, nothing will. Gladiator II is flexing its way into cinemas now, ready to show you just how one can morph from “regular lad” to “might of Rome” with a bit of sweat, some fries, and plenty of determination. Who wouldn’t want to feel that ripped?
So, what’s the takeaway? Train hard, eat hard, and—if you’re lucky enough—avoid running for a few months. And if anyone asks about your six-pack, just tell them you’re channeling your inner gladiator. Honestly, with the shape Paul’s in, that’s more than believable!
Paul Mescal has recently disclosed a remarkable transformation, revealing he became so ripped during his intense training sessions for Gladiator II that he felt his body could ‘inflict real damage’.
At just 28 years old, the acclaimed Irish actor elaborated on the rigorous regimen that included working closely with a fitness coach, learning horsemanship, and mastering combat techniques, which collectively empowered him to effectively embody the character of Lucius.
Set several decades after its predecessor, Gladiator II features Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, now residing in Numidia, a historically rich region in northern Africa.
Although his character was sent to Numidia as a young child, the film uniquely follows Lucius’s journey back to Rome to reunite with his mother, during which he encounters significant conflicts.
In a deep dive into Paul’s grueling transformation for Gladiator II, we find that his impressive physical evolution can be attributed largely to his active sporting background.
Paul Mescal recently revealed he became so ripped he felt his body ‘could inflict real damage’ after his intense training sessions for Gladiator II (right in 2022)
The actor, 28, explained that after working out with a fitness coach, riding horses and learning to fight, he felt powerful enough to take on the role of Lucius (pictured with Peter Mensah)
Fight choreography
In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, the dedicated actor discussed how his passion for Gaelic football may have played a crucial role in securing the leading part in the highly anticipated Hollywood blockbuster.
During a detailed 30-minute Zoom meeting with director Ridley Scott, he emphasized the significant time spent discussing the sport he grew up playing.
He remarked, ‘Maybe that was something that helped with it, in that I’m used to being physical in my body.’
Although a camera test was not required, Paul had to significantly bulk up before filming commenced in diverse locations across Morocco and the UK. His commitment to authenticity meant he wanted to achieve a gladiator physique, steering away from looking like a traditional Hollywood heartthrob.
Focusing on fight choreography was essential for Paul, as he stated, ‘I just wanted to be big and strong and look like somebody who can cause a bit of damage when s*** hits the fan.’
The actor said he did not just want to transform into a ‘Hollywood hunk’ and initially feared that he may end up looking ‘more like an underwear model than a warrior’
Weight lifting and resistance training
Earlier this year, social media users were captivated by footage showcasing Paul’s rigorous Gladiator workout, which made waves on TikTok, where he was seen performing dumbbell shoulder raises for an impressive 23 seconds.
In a discussion with GQ, personal trainer Robert Utley elaborated on weight training, highlighting how it revolves around progressively overloading the muscles to facilitate growth and strength improvements.
He explained that this can be achieved by increasing repetitions week by week or modifying the tempo to extend the muscle’s time under tension.
The expert speculated that Paul likely included ‘push and pull’ training in his fight regimen, enhancing his strength for the role. ‘A push would be pushing the weight away from the body, like in a chest press, while a pull would be bringing the weight towards the body, such as in a lat pulldown,’ he clarified.
Earlier this year, footage of Mescal’s Gladiator workout was widely circulated on TikTok and showed the actor doing dumbbell shoulder raises for a solid 23 seconds
Personal training sessions and ‘eating everything he wanted’
In an insightful conversation with Capital FM, Paul credited his exceptional trainer and skilled nutritionists for significantly aiding him in honing his physique for the film.
Conveying his message to fans who admire his impressive build, he expressed, ‘I had the best trainer in the world, a studio, and a production supporting me through it… you have to make an audience believe that this is someone who would survive intensive violence throughout the film.’
The actor further revealed that his workouts with trainer Tim Blakeley involved plenty of squats and ‘lifting heavy things’, a routine designed to build strength and muscle mass.
Notably, he also shared that he was encouraged to indulge in his favorite foods during the process, saying, ‘I literally had anything that I could have ever wanted—burgers and chips and everything!’
Rather than become a typical ‘Hollywood hunk’, Mescal (pictured) said he did a lot of fight training to achieve the appropriate physique and skills
Temporarily giving up running
As filming progressed, Paul revealed he was instructed to pause his running routine in the months leading up to production, as the primary focus was on building muscle mass.
He mentioned in a video interview with ET, ‘The closer we got to filming, I was allowed to run again!’
Although he is often spotted jogging around London, he temporarily traded his typical exercise for strength training.
In February 2021, the actor unapologetically embraced an unusual birthday celebration at his boxing club, getting punched repeatedly by friends.
His co-star, Pedro Pascal, echoing this sentiment, acknowledged the visible changes in Paul’s physique due to his commitment, affectionately referring to him as ‘Brick Wall Paul.’ Pascal quipped that he’d rather be tossed from a building than face Mescal again in a fight.
During filming, the star also claims he was told to give up running in the months leading up to filming – as his team’s focus was building muscle (pictured in 2020)
In a nod to Paul’s extensive dedication, another co-star Joseph Quinn highlighted Paul’s impressive transformation, stating he is indeed a ‘unit’ and praised his commitment to the physicality of the character.
Gladiator II is in cinemas now.
How did Paul Mescal balance his love for food with his intense training regimen for his role?
> In preparation for his role in the upcoming *Gladiator* sequel, actor Paul Mescal underwent a significant physical transformation. He was initially concerned about becoming overly muscular and resembling a “Hollywood hunk” rather than a fierce warrior, fearing he might end up looking “more like an underwear model than a warrior.”
To achieve the desired physique, Mescal engaged in extensive weightlifting and resistance training, which he showcased in viral TikTok videos highlighting his impressive workouts. He focused on progressively overloading his muscles, guided by personal trainer Robert Utley, who emphasized a balance between push and pull exercises to enhance Mescal’s strength.
During his training sessions, Mescal praised his trainer and nutritionists for supporting his journey. They encouraged him to indulge in his favorite foods while maintaining a rigorous workout routine that included plenty of heavy lifting and combat training. Mescal expressed excitement over being able to eat whatever he wanted, including burgers and chips, while still honing an athletic physique suitable for the intense fight scenes in the film.
As filming approached, Mescal paused his running routine to focus on building muscle mass but resumed once production began. He embraced the physicality of the role, ensuring that he developed a strong, warrior-like appearance without losing his athletic identity.