Was Paul Mescal being 'not masculine enough' the reason Gladiator II flopped? | Movies

Theory Briefing

• Paul Mescal faced public criticism for lacking traditional masculinity before Gladiator II even released, seeding doubt about his fit for the role.
• The most-discussed theory pins the film's underperformance on casting, with audiences allegedly rejecting Mescal as a credible action lead.
• Jacob Elordi's name appears in the conversation, suggesting alternative casting choices are being floated as part of the post-mortem debate.
• The article frames the masculinity critique as a possible self-fulfilling prophecy — pre-release doubt shaping audience expectations and ticket sales.