'Gladiator II' Wasn't Profitable Enough – and Paul Mescal Lost His Next Role Because of It
While Gladiator once revived the peplum genre, its sequel and The Dog Stars demonstrated that even great directors sometimes make mistakes.
After nearly half a century in film, Ridley Scott has grown accustomed to his movies sparking heated discussions ranging from rapturous praise to fierce criticism.
However, even for such a seasoned director, the consequences of the failure of Gladiator II were unexpected and far-reaching. Although the sequel grossed $462 million worldwide, it was not enough to recoup its $210 million budget and marketing costs.
Ridley Scott Reportedly Blamed Paul Mescal for 'Gladiator II' Flop, Then Fired Him From 'The Dog Stars'
Gladiator II needed to gross approximately $525 million to break even. Failing to reach that goal is rumored to have serious consequences for its lead actor, Paul Mescal. The actor, who was also set to star in Scott's next project, The Dog Stars, dropped out of the movie unexpectedly.
The official reason given was work commitments, but insiders tell a different story: Scott blamed Mescal for the box office failure, believing he failed to convey his character's masculinity.
The story uncovered by journalist Matthew Belloni reads like a script from a Hollywood drama. Paul Mescal was originally cast as the lead in The Dog Stars, but he was suddenly replaced by Jacob Elordi.
The official reason given was a scheduling conflict, but sources claim the true reason was far more brutal. According to insiders, Scott was furious with the results of Gladiator II and decided to find someone to blame.
He chose Mescal, deeming him insufficiently masculine and charismatic for the role of Lucius.
However, there is an alternative version of events. According to other insiders, Sam Mendes, the director of the upcoming Beatles movie, intervened in the conflict. Mendes was reportedly upset about Scott's premature disclosure of Mescal's involvement in his projects and pressured the actor to withdraw from collaborating with Scott.
What Actually Went Wrong With 'Gladiator II'?
Gladiator II is a classic example of a movie attempting to replicate the original's winning formula. As always, Scott remains true to form, offering audiences grand battle scenes, lavish costumes, and memorable villains.
The mad Commodus is replaced by the equally mannered murderers Caracalla and Geta, and Russell Crowe is replaced by Paul Mescal. However, the sequel suffers from offering nothing fundamentally new – it's the same old song with a similar arrangement.
The script pays less attention to the characters' psychology and more to bloody spectacles: Gladiators battle baboons, dodge rhinoceroses, and fall into shark-infested waters.
Visually, Gladiator II is impeccable, but that wasn't enough to recoup its enormous budget – with a target of $525 million, a box office of $462 million was a cold shower for the studio.
Why Did 'The Dog Stars' Flop?
Scott likely hoped that by replacing Mescal with Euphoria star Jacob Elordi, he would attract a younger audience and ensure box office success for The Dog Stars. However, this experiment also proved to be a failure.
The Dog Stars tells the story of pilot Hig and his dog as they try to survive in a world devastated by a pandemic. On paper, the film had potential with its picturesque landscapes, thrilling flight scenes, and charismatic supporting roles by Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce.
However, the movie was overloaded with plot lines, making it feel drawn out and boring. Furthermore, Scott failed to establish a consistent tone: the film vacillates between an intimate drama and a large-scale action thriller. By the end, The Dog Stars completely collapses under the weight of its own ambitions.
Consequently, The Dog Stars grossed only $18.8 million in its opening weekend, falling far short of its $80 million budget. Two consecutive flops are a serious blow to the reputation of even a titan like Ridley Scott.
