Russell Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his towering performance in “Gladiator.” You might expect that Paul Mescal, star of “Gladiator II,” would reach out to him for advice on how to get into that 2nd century mindset.

Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius in Gladiator 2, explains why he didnt reach out to Maximus actor Russell Crowe for advice for the Ridley Scott sequel.

Paul Mescal wants Russell Crowe to pick up the phone. The Normal People star, 28, plays Crowe’s on screen son Lucius in the forthcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic Gladiator, which won Crowe an Oscar for Best Actor upon release.

Gladiator III is already in the works from Ridley Scott, meaning that Gladiator II could be the start of a much bigger story than the original film.

Director Ridley Scott chimed in, supporting Paul’s choice by drawing a parallel between the James Bond franchise and 'Gladiator'. He mentioned that a

Ridley Scott is finally here with Paul Mescal and others to present Gladiator 2. But Scott's initial plan involving Russell Crowe also deserves praise.

Paul Mescal recently revealed that he has not spoken to Russell Crowe since accepting his role in the Gladiator sequel. The 28-year-old Irish actor plays Lucius in Gladiator II, which was filmed in 2000 with Crowe as the leading man.