Russell Crowe 'Privately Gloating' Over Paul Mescal Being Roasted Over His 'Gladiator II' Acting – 'He's Going to Have to Get More Humble!'
Russell Crowe is reportedly happy Paul Mescal is taking a beating from critics.
Jan. 21 2025, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
Actor Paul Mescal thought he was a hotshot snaring the Gladiator II role, but cutting reviews have chopped the hunk down to size and RadarOnline.com can reveal the star of the blockbuster first epic – Russell Crowe – is privately gloating.
Critics slammed the 28-year-old Irish actor as "a pale imitation of Crowe" who "doesn't hold the screen" and described his performance as "shaky at best."
Meanwhile, original sword-swinger Crowe, 60, nabbed an Oscar for his role as arena darling Maximus in the super-hit 2000 epic and whisperers are buzzing that he's secretly thrilled Mescal couldn't fill his sandals in the sequel.
Washington and Pascal were hailed for shining in 'Gladiator II' – unlike Mescal.
"Russell doesn't have anything against Paul personally, but when an actor struts around like a peacock and acts like an ass, it's not a good look and deserves to be brought down a peg or two," said an insider. "The way Russell sees it, Paul's going to have to be humbler moving forward if he wants to be a long-lasting A-lister."
While Gladiator Il cost $240 million to make and grossed $400 million worldwide in its first month, it has a way to go to beat the original, which nabbed the equivalent of $800 million.
Meanwhile sources revealed G2 is a box-office hit thanks to the supporting cast like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal and director-producer Ridley Scott.
Crowe is said to be secretly celebrating Mescal's Gladiator II roasting.
"You have to say bravo to the movie's team because they managed to make the movie a hit almost in spite of Paul's performance, and it was a masterstroke to give Denzel Washington a central role," the insider went on.
"That kind of worked as an insurance policy in case Paul wasn't able to fully deliver the goods."
Sources added Mescal is "cocky" and "his goal was to totally eclipse Russell Crowe's performance in the original film.
Insiders credit Scott's direction and a stellar cast for saving Gladiator II.
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"But Paul failed at that objective," the insider said. "Still, the movie is a sizable financial hit and that means Paul will get another chance to shine in Sony's big-budget Beatles film series, where he was tapped to play Paul McCartney."
"But he needs to approach the next big opportunity with less arrogance and more focus than he brought to Gladiator II, where his fellow cast members kept stealing scenes out from under his tunic."
The insider added: "Russell got a bad rap for his brash comments and coarse manner early in his career, but he's learned to lighten up since then, and he hopes Paul takes notice!"
