When an actor lands a big role, the accompanying fanfare is often part of the excitement. But that’s not the case with Paul Mescal.
since he became a star ordinary person Back in 2020, 27-year-old Paul has risen to become one of the most talked about actors in Hollywood today, earning him his first Oscar nomination. after sun In 2022.
And not only brought him worldwide notoriety; ordinary person It caught the attention of the director ridley scottHe was so impressed by Paul’s performance in the drama that he felt compelled to cast him as the lead in the long-awaited film. Gladiator Sequel.
Since his casting was announced, January 2023Paul was very cautious about speaking at length about the film, noting that of course there’s a lot of pressure to try to recreate the magic of the original version starring Russell Crowe.
“I’m really excited, but I feel like it’s going to be hard to step away from the legacy of this movie even a little bit,” he said. Esquire UK In August of last year. “I think it’s very well written and it pays homage to the previous work, but it’s something I feel comfortable stepping into and making my own.”
talk to times In a recent interview, Paul confessed that he would be “deeply depressed” if he became more famous as a result of starring in the film.
“I don’t know what the difference is,” he thought. “Maybe that’s naive? Will it just cause more people to stop you on the street? I’d be really depressed if that was the case, and I hope it’s not.”
“The answer will be next year, but if [the film] “I would be in a terrible position if it affected my life in that way,” he added, before having to cancel out the fanfare by putting on “a dull play that no one wants to see.” I joked that it was.
Speaking more broadly about Hollywood, Paul said he takes his job as an actor “very seriously” despite how the industry is evolving in the online realm.
“It’s very scary,” he said of the prospect that a performer’s social media presence could influence casting decisions. “Don’t translate acting into Instagram followers.”
“In recent years, people have been talking about movies and TV shows as content,” he added. “That’s a dirty word. That’s not ‘content,’ it’s shitty work.”
Defending his position, Paul continued: A work that lacks care and artistic integrity. Create something that incorporates Instagram followers as an element. It could be anything…but the other thing is what’s always been there, the craft of filmmaking, directing, lighting, production and his design. ”
“That’s what keeps artists alive. And audiences want a challenge,” he said.
Paul didn’t shy away from talking about the downside of a job he’s passionate about: the “devastating” lack of privacy. Instagram account is private last year.
“The hurt is personal,” he said. Harper’s Bazaar Last year, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the feeling that fans have a “right to information” about his private life. “It’s not someone else’s business and you should never comment on it because it’s obscene. And it’s unkind.”