Timothée Chalamet hasn’t auditioned for a role in seven years, his agent claims (Picture: Mario Cartelli/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)
Although film fans are over the moon that Paul Mescal has reportedly won the lead role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 movie, sometimes we just can’t help but wonder who else was in the running.
And while rumours swirled that Timothée Chalamet was amongst those who lost out on the role to the Normal People star, his agent says differently.
Other names reported to have held meetings about the project or auditioned for the role include Austin Butler, Miles Teller and Richard Madden.
But Bones and All star Timothée’s agent Brian Swardstrom wrote in a tweet: ‘I know one of those actors was shooting a film in the middle east for the past several months – and he hasn’t auditioned for anything in more than 7 years.’
Brian’s tweet was in response to the claims, which were posted on social media by the account DiscussingFilm, who cited The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit as a source.
According to Deadline, Paul is currently in negotiations to lead the blockbuster sequel after he became a favourite of Sir Ridley’s following a meeting in November.
A source told the outlet that the director continued to meet with other actors but it was apparently clear to everyone involved that the Irish actor was his top choice.
It is believed that Paul will play Lucius – the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucille and nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus – in the movie.
Gladiator starred Russell Crowe as a former Roman General who was sent into slavery before seeking revenge against the emperor who murdered his family.
Normal People star Paul Mescal has reportedly landed the role of Lucius in the Gladiator sequel (Picture: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
The movie won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for leading man Crowe, while also scooping a string of other accolades including Baftas and Golden Globes.
Metro.co.uk has tipped Paul for a successful awards season this year, predicting he will receive best actor nominations for his role as Calum in last year’s Aftersun.
The film will be set years after 2000’s original (Picture: Dreamworks/Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
In a five-star review for the movie, we said: ‘Lit up by two extraordinary lead performances, this is most obviously a father-daughter story.
‘Much is left unexplained but we get shafts of insight. Yes, it’s about innocence and experience but it’s really about memory. How we look back on ourselves and others.
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‘The semi-autobiographical vision of debut Scottish writer/director Charlotte Wells has clearly been burnished over many patient years of loving development. It’s not a showy film but it’s beautifully realised.
‘The composition, the colours, the sound, the delicacy of observation and, of course, the strength and vivid subtlety of these two remarkable performances.’
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Paul Mescal has reportedly landed the part.
