The release ofGladiator IIfinally tells the story of what happened to Lucius Verus after the events of the firstGladiatorfilm, but some inconsistencies around the character’s depiction have raised eyebrows with audiences. Played byPaul Mescal, the character of Luciusreturns to Rome after spending many years abroad. He seeks revenge against General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) for the death of his wife, who was killed during the battle in Numidia. After coming to Rome, Lucius is bought to be a gladiator slave byDenzel Washington’s character, Macrinus.
This compelling arc means thateverything inGladiator IIrevolves around Lucius. Consequently, Mescal’s performance is permanently in the spotlight as he struggles to reconcile his rage, his complex relationship with his mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), and the dangers of the arena. Unfortunately, theGladiator IIcastsuffers from several issues over the course of the story, including their accents. As the main protagonist, Lucius and Mescal are the prime examples.
Paul Mescal’s Irish Accent Is Often Heard In Gladiator 2
It Affects The Immersion In Gladiator II
For the most part, Paul Mescal, who is Irish, spoke with an English accent inGladiator II. However, there were multiple moments during the film where Mescal’s natural accent poured through. The frequency with which this occurs inevitably breaks the movie’s cinematic spell and takes the viewer out of the film. In many cases, the consistency of a character’s voice can be overlooked – so long as the drama is working. However, in the case ofGladiator II,the fluctuation of Mescal’s accent is often so jarringthat it affects viewers' ability to stay connected with the story.
Paul Mescal was trained in The Lir Academy for Dramatic Arts at Trinity College in Dublin.
The multiple breakthroughs of Mescal’s natural accent weren’t necessarily an overtly strong negative to the movie,but the inconsistency was noticeable on various occasions. In one scene, for instance, Macrinus (Washington) is discussing with Lucius how he knew he was going to be a great Gladiator. When Lucius responds, Mescal’s natural Irish intonation is palpable. This inconsistency is a small thing that happens often enough to diminish the film’s capacity to immerse its audience.
Paul Mescal Isn’t The Only Gladiator 2 Star Garnering Attention For An Accent
Many Have Questioned Why Denzel Washington Has A Clear NYC Accent
The most confusing accent ofGladiator IIcomes from its most renowned star.Denzel Washington’s controversialGladiator IIaccentis essentially his own voice. When this was revealed after the release of the film’s official trailer online,many wondered why Washington didn’t attempt to alter his character’s voice. Fans were disappointed that Washington didn’t give Macrinus a more era and geographically appropriate accent. For some, hearing Denzel’s natural voice in 221 A.D. Rome is very off-putting, further decreasing the film’s immersiveness.
WhenDenzel Washington responded to hisGladiator IIaccent controversy, he told Empire Magazine,
“Well, the thing was, where are we? Whose accent would it be? What does that sound like anyway? You’re going to end up imitating someone and end up with a bad African accent.”
Washington was clearly hesitant to turn Macrinus (who comes from a Roman province in northern Africa) into a caricature. The fear of having a bad African accent led Washington to the decision that it was better to use his own voice rather than create one that could be poorly received. Even though his performance was a highlight ofGladiator II,it was still a little awkward to hear a modern NYC accent in ancient Rome.
What Language & Accents Gladiator 2 Characters Should Have (If Historically Accurate)
Paul Mescal’s Lucius was Roman-born but was forced to flee Rome at the age of 12 after the death of his father at the hands of Maximus in the arena. He fled to Numidia, a Roman province. Today, that area consists of northern Algeria, as well as parts of Morrocco, Tunisia, and Libya. After spending 16 years in the north-western part of Africa, Lucius would have probably acquired the local Numidian language as a second language on top of his Roman Latin. Lucius' accent with his second language would probably sound odd, given its Latin foundation.
Gladiator 2’s Denzel Washington Reflects On Historical Inaccuracy Of His Character: “Macrinus Wasn’t Black”
Gladiator 2 standout Denzel Washington reacts to people pointing out that the character he plays, Macrinus, wasn’t actually Black in real life.
While Denzel Washington’s Macrinus' exact origin is unknown, he was born under Roman rule in northern Africa. This could mean many things. He could have been born in the province of Africa, which contained the city of Carthage or the city of Cyrene. He could theoretically have come from farther east in the province of Aegyptus, which contained Egyptian lands, including the city of Alexandria. While it’s impossible to tell exactly how Lucius or Macrinus would have spoken, their realGladiator IIaccents would likely have been a far cry from Irish and American.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
