Paul Mescal stars in the first official trailer for "Gladiator II," the highly anticipated sequel to the 1990 Oscar-winning film starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
"Gladiator II" “continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome," a synopsis from Paramount Pictures says.
"Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.
"With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people."
In "Gladiator II," Paul Mescal stars alongside Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.
The new film, directed by Ridley Scott, is set to arrive in theaters on November 22.
Just ahead of the trailer's release on Tuesday, Co Kildare native Mescal chatted with Irish radio station Today FM about the anticipation for the long-awaited trailer.
"I've seen the trailer, seen the film - I think, from my end, that the hype is kind of warranted.
"I'm as big a fan of the first film as the next person. And I think it's just indicative of the legacy this film has.
"Ridley Scott directing the second one, for people who love film, it's a no-brainer."
Mescal says the new film "picks the world of the first 'Gladiator' up and plants it 20 years in the future.
"It has the same energy and spirit of the first one, but the character's journey through the mad world that is ancient Rome couldn't be more different.
"It balances an honoring of the first film but is very much its own beast, and very much is a beast of a film."
Mescal said again that his previous GAA training helped with preparations for the physically demanding film role.
When he was asked if he realizes just how proud Ireland is of him, Mescal endearingly replied: "I've said this many, many times, but I feel incredibly proud to be Irish.
"Like you said, going from sausage ads to this, wasn't in the bingo cards for me.
"Me and Andrew Scott both spoke about this, coming home to do the 'All of Us Strangers' premiere last year - I think I'm absolutely biased - but we've got the most extraordinary country and people who are deeply supportive of the artists that we have.
"We're kind of, as a country, punching far above our weight in terms of the output, and long may it continue and it should be supported because we've got immense talent for such a small country.
"I definitely feel an overwhelming sense of support from people back home and I can't wait to take the film there."
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