Gladiator II star Paul Mescal is a big fan of Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal is a big fan of Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for epic narratives and a background in musical theater, I find myself captivated by the current cinematic landscape that pits the long-awaited sequel to Gladiator II against the musical blockbuster Wicked. Having spent countless hours immersed in the worlds of both cinema and music, it’s hard not to be impressed by the spectacle these two films have unleashed at the box office.


Actor Paul Mescal, who appears in Gladiator II, has publicly shown his backing for the hit musical Wicked. The two grand productions are currently competing fiercely at the worldwide box office, creating an unusual clash reminiscent of a David and Goliath scenario.

In the overdue follow-up to Ridley Scott’s 2000 blockbuster film, we find Michael Fassbender portraying Lucius, the grown son of Maximus (originally played by Russell Crowe). On a grand journey for vengeance mirroring his father’s tale, Lucius takes center stage.

It was uncertain if there would be enough space for both Gladiator II and Wicked to succeed in movie theaters, but it seems they’re managing just fine. In fact, during their debut weekend alone, the two films raked in over $270 million combined.

Currently, “Wicked” is far surpassing the anticipated “Gladiator II” in popularity, but based on his recent interview with “Attitude”, it appears that this fact isn’t causing Mescal any concern.

Asked about their pairing in Wicked, he mentioned that he had a fleeting encounter with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Academy Gala, and has watched the movie. In his opinion, they are both incredibly talented individuals.

“And I’m a musical theatre guy, I’m a big advocate for that film.”

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal is a big fan of Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Feel free to name it as you prefer, not just ‘Glicked’,” Mescal explained, “Barbenheimer was truly a remarkable addition to the world of film overall.

“By attending both movies, you’re not just helping us or Wicked, but also boosting the entire film industry. If you love cinema, show your support.

This weekend’s box office is eagerly anticipated as ‘Glicked’ goes head-to-head with a significant new rival: Disney’s Moana 2. In the United States, where people are celebrating Thanksgiving, Moana 2 is predicted to be a powerhouse performance.

Without a doubt, while Glicked didn’t achieve the same level of success as Barbenheimer, which was a massive hit in July 2023 and experienced a resurgence during that year’s awards season, it’s nonetheless a significant victory for a company still struggling to fully recover from the pandemic.

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2024-11-28 19:33