Cinema
Gladiator star set to play Paul McCartney in next Sam Mendes film
The celebrated Irish actor is heavily rumoured to play the famous Beatle in the forthcoming Sam Mendes project.
Paul Mescal will swap his gladiator armor and sword for Paul McCartney’s microphone and guitar. The Irish actor will play the Beatles star in a new series of biopics directed by Sam Mendes focusing on the legendary Liverpool quartet. Curiously, the news was leaked by fellow director Ridley Scott, who has just worked with Mescal on Gladiator 2.
Scott claimed: “Paul is actually really busy making ‘The Beatles,’ so I might have to let him go.” For now, the studio has not announced the casting, although rumors already pointed to him playing the other Paul, McCartney. Mendes’ idea is for each of the films to focus on one of the group’s members: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison.
Mescal on Beatles biotopic
Media outlets are now starting to question Mescal about the possibility of putting himself in the musician’s shoes:
The Maynooth born actor stated: “It would be an incredible story to be involved in. The fact that Sam Mendes is going to direct it would be a dream come true,” he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. However, the actor who played Lucio in ‘Gladiator 2’ has refused to talk too much and has refused to confirm whether or not he would like to play Paul McCartney. On the other hand, Ringo Starr revealed that Barry Keoghan is going to play him and that he is already learning to play the drums.
‘Gladiator 2’ is set several decades after the first film and stars Lucius Verus, nephew of Emperor Commodus. After Maximus’ death, the brothers Geta and Caracalla ascended to the imperial throne.
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