Both Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal have had to get in fighting shape for their starring roles in Ridley Scott's long-awaited Gladiator 2, and it's led to Pascal giving his co-star a hilarious nickname. Set after the events of Gladiator, the eagerly-anticipated sequel follows Lucius (Mescal) after he disappeared for over a decade and is now fighting in a gladiator pit. The first-look photos for Gladiator 2 showcase Mescal's incredible transformation, and his co-star has praised his hard work and intimidating new look.

Pedro Pascal spoke to Vanity Fair about Paul Mescal's transformation for Gladiator 2. The first official images showcase Mescal and Pascal facing off in an arena. While their on-screen characters may be down for a scrap, Pascal revealed a fight with Paul Mescal is the last thing he wants. The actor said:

"It’s brutal, man. I call him Brick Wall Paul. He got so strong. I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again. To go up against somebody that fit and that talented and that much younger…"

Pedro Pascal is no stranger to on-screen combat, famously playing Prince Oberyn in Game of Thrones, and going toe-to-toe with The Mountain (Hafthor Bjornsson). But Gladiator 2 has seen the actor push his body to new limits, and Pascal admitted that working alongside Paul Mescal is a big reason he's so committed to the project's physicality. Pascal continued:

"Outside of Ridley being a total genius, Paul is a big reason as to why I would put my poor body through that experience."

Paul Mescal's Gladiator 2 Transformation Was Psychological

Compared to his starring roles in Normal People, Aftersun, and All of Us Strangers, Paul Mescal has gained some serious muscle for his leading role in Gladiator 2. Mescal commented on his transformation, saying that it was necessary for him to get inside the mind of his character. Mescal said:

"Muscles start to grow, and that can be deemed aesthetic in certain capacities, but there is something about feeling strong in your body that elicits just a different feeling. You carry yourself differently. It has an impact on you psychologically in a way that is useful for the film."

The actor then revealed that his transformation was less about aesthetic and more about developing strength. Physical transformations have become a mainstay in Hollywood. The superhero boom of the 2010s saw every leading actor have to drastically transform their bodies to look perfect as their character. But Mescal was adamant against training for a 'perfect' physique, believing his character to care more about raw power. He explained:

"I just wanted to be big and strong and look like somebody who can cause a bit of damage when shit hits the fan. I think also, sometimes, one could, in striving for that perfect look, end up looking more like an underwear model than a warrior."

The new photos also revealed Denzel Washington's mysterious role in the film. The Oscar winner will play Macrinus, a former gladiator turned arms dealer who keeps gladiators for sport.

Gladiator II is scheduled to release in theaters on November 22 (North America), and November 15 (internationally).