Gladiator II” may have taken over two decades to come to fruition, but star Paul Mescal is already thinking about a third installment of Ridley Scott’s epic. When asked by Variety at the film’s London premiere if he’d want to make “Gladiator 3,

Paul Mescal revealed in a new interview with Variety how he got absolutely ripped for his starring role in Gladiator II. Mescal wanted to gain 22 pounds for the role, realizing that he “needed to be big” to make his character’s gladiatorial prowess believable.

Despite his relatively short career, Paul Mescal has already received a number of accolades. Over the last few years Paul Mescal has went from a relatively unknown theatre actor to the star of a major blockbuster film.

He starred in "Normal People" and "Aftersun," and now he will appear in the second instalment of "Gladiator." To become a worthy successor to Russell Crowe, Mescal had to gain a lot of muscle mass, and he's eager to talk about it.

Paul Mescal said gaining and shedding weight for two of his upcoming movies was "miserable." Mescal told Variety he gained 22 pounds for "Gladiator II" and then lost 26 for "The History of Sound." More male actors are opening up about the toll changing weight for roles takes on their mind and body.