Paul Mescal just gave Gladiator II a plot twist so wild, Ridley Scott might be clutching his director’s chair. The brooding 28-year-old actor, known for his Oscar-worthy glares and ability to look deeply conflicted while shirtless, hosted Saturday Night Live on December 7 and served up a version of the epic blockbuster that no one saw coming: Gladiator: The Musical.
Yes, you read that right. Musical. Think less “Are you not entertained?” and more “Are you ready for jazz hands?”
When in Rome… Sing!
In a skit that might make theater kids everywhere weep with joy, Paul and the SNL gang decided to poke fun at Gladiator II’s respectable box office numbers. Respectable, yes—but not quite “Broadway witches belting their faces off” levels of success. The bit hilariously compared Gladiator II to the Wicked movie adaptation and Moana 2, implying that Romans just couldn’t keep up with singing witches and Polynesian princesses.
Inspired by the musical juggernauts, the skit introduced songs for Gladiator: The Musical, including the soon-to-be-classic “There’s No Place Like Rome.” (Someone call Lin-Manuel Miranda—this title’s a goldmine!)
Broomsticks in the Coliseum
The pièce de résistance? Paul Mescal, in full Roman warrior mode, channeling his inner Elphaba (or is it Elphamescal now?) as he dramatically soared on a broomstick and belted out Defying Gravity. Yes, the Defying Gravity. Cynthia Erivo, who sings the number in the Wicked movie, might want to watch her back—Paul’s broomstick theatrics were a sight to behold. Who needs swords when you’ve got a high note?
The ‘Glicked’ Phenomenon
This parody didn’t come out of nowhere. Both Gladiator II and Wicked dropped into theaters on the same day, sending fans into a frenzy and coining the term “Glicked” to describe the bizarre cinematic showdown. (Glicked: when ancient Rome clashes with Emerald City, and audiences are somehow the real winners.)
So, what’s next for Paul? Maybe Gladiator II on Broadway? We can already picture the marquee: “Swords, Sandals, and Show Tunes.” Critics are calling it “the Cats of ancient Rome, but better.”
All hail Mescal: our singing, flying, gladiator king!
Gladiator II Trailer pic.twitter.com/5PLggdYsit
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 8, 2024
