Paul Mescal said gaining and shedding weight for two of his upcoming movies was "miserable." Mescal told Variety he gained 22 pounds for "Gladiator II" and then lost 26 for "The History of Sound." More male actors are opening up about the toll changing weight for roles takes on their mind and body.

Gladiator II star Paul Mescal wanted to separate himself as much as possible from the first movie.

Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal has revealed the circumstances under which he’ll quit appearing in Hollywood blockbusters for good.

Everyone finds their own unique source of fitness motivation: half-marathons, yoga contortions, wedding slim-downs. Me? I’m motivated by a 28-year-old actor in a leather skirt. I want to be Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.

Despite his relatively short career, Paul Mescal has already received a number of accolades. Over the last few years Paul Mescal has went from a relatively unknown theatre actor to the star of a major blockbuster film.

He starred in "Normal People" and "Aftersun," and now he will appear in the second instalment of "Gladiator." To become a worthy successor to Russell Crowe, Mescal had to gain a lot of muscle mass, and he's eager to talk about it.