ROMAN PEOPLE

Actor Paul set to star in Ridley Scott's Gladiator mega-sequel

- SHANE POWER

PAUL Mescal has reportedly been cast as the lead in Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel to his iconic flick Gladiator.

The Kildare actor, 26, is being touted to play the part of Lucius the son of Russell Crowe's famous hero Maximus Decimus Meridius' lover Lucilla.

Normal People star Mescal is in negotiations for the coveted role which would bring his biggest pay cheque to date, according to US showbiz site Deadline.

The original Gladiator film grossed $460million in box office sales and propelled Crowe to superstardom.

There is huge hype around Gladiator 2, the sequel to the Oscar-winning movie released in 2000, with Scott returning to direct and produce on the project.