Ridley Scott Representative Denies Report That Director Blamed Paul Mescal's Masculinity for 'Gladiator II' Performance
by Chris Tremblay 4 hours ago
3 MIN READ
A dispute over why Paul Mescal left Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars emerged this week after a report attributed a different explanation to sources close to the film.
The report, attributed to journalist Matt Belloni of Puck, alleged that Scott blamed Mescal for Gladiator II’s underperformance and believed the actor was not “masculine” enough for the role.
Scott’s representative rejected that account in a statement to Just Jared, calling it “Not true.”
The representative said Scott “loves Paul” and had been enthusiastic about collaborating with him again after their work on Gladiator II.
According to the representative, Mescal’s rehearsal schedule for another film prevented him from making The Dog Stars, while Scott was pleased to work with Jacob Elordi instead.
The competing accounts have not been independently resolved, and the allegation remains unsubstantiated beyond the anonymous sourcing described in reports about Belloni’s item.
Mescal was first reported as being in advanced discussions to lead The Dog Stars in November 2024, shortly after the release of Gladiator II.
The project is an adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel and was developed for 20th Century Studios with Scott attached to direct.
Scott and Mescal had just worked together on Gladiator II, the historical action sequel directed by Scott and starring Mescal as Lucius.
In January 2025, reports said Mescal had exited The Dog Stars and that Elordi was in talks to replace him.
The explanation publicly associated with Mescal’s departure was a scheduling conflict involving Sam Mendes’ planned Beatles films.
Variety later described Mescal as the original lead of The Dog Stars and reported that he exited in early 2025 because of scheduling issues connected to the Beatles project.
Scott had also publicly indicated in late 2024 that Mescal’s other commitments might interfere with the reunion.
At that time, Scott said Mescal was busy with the Beatles project and suggested that he might have to release the actor from The Dog Stars.
The casting change therefore occurred more than a year before the current dispute over the reason for Mescal’s departure.
The new allegation links the casting change to Gladiator II’s commercial results rather than to scheduling.
Just Jared reported that Gladiator II earned approximately $462 million worldwide, while identifying the “masculine” claim as part of the report rejected by Scott’s representative.
The use of anonymous sources means the allegation cannot be treated as an established account of Scott’s views or of the production’s internal decision-making.
Scott’s representative offered a direct on-the-record denial, but the representative’s statement is also the production’s public response rather than independent confirmation of every private scheduling detail.
No public statement from Mescal confirming the reported allegation has been identified in the coverage reviewed for this article.
Elordi ultimately replaced Mescal as the lead of The Dog Stars.
The film also features Josh Brolin, according to Variety’s report on its trailer and production.
The Dog Stars was scheduled for release on August 28, 2026.
The September report appeared after the film’s release, reviving attention around a casting decision that had previously been explained publicly as a matter of scheduling.
For now, the documented record contains an anonymously sourced allegation, the earlier scheduling explanation, and a categorical denial from Scott’s representative.
Until additional on-the-record evidence emerges, the claim that Scott dismissed Mescal because he considered him insufficiently masculine should be reported as an allegation, not as fact.
Scott’s representative rejected that account in a statement to Just Jared, calling it “Not true.”
The representative said Scott “loves Paul” and had been enthusiastic about collaborating with him again after their work on Gladiator II.
According to the representative, Mescal’s rehearsal schedule for another film prevented him from making The Dog Stars, while Scott was pleased to work with Jacob Elordi instead.
The competing accounts have not been independently resolved, and the allegation remains unsubstantiated beyond the anonymous sourcing described in reports about Belloni’s item.
The Production History
Mescal was first reported as being in advanced discussions to lead The Dog Stars in November 2024, shortly after the release of Gladiator II.
The project is an adaptation of Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel and was developed for 20th Century Studios with Scott attached to direct.
Scott and Mescal had just worked together on Gladiator II, the historical action sequel directed by Scott and starring Mescal as Lucius.
In January 2025, reports said Mescal had exited The Dog Stars and that Elordi was in talks to replace him.
The explanation publicly associated with Mescal’s departure was a scheduling conflict involving Sam Mendes’ planned Beatles films.
Variety later described Mescal as the original lead of The Dog Stars and reported that he exited in early 2025 because of scheduling issues connected to the Beatles project.
Scott had also publicly indicated in late 2024 that Mescal’s other commitments might interfere with the reunion.
At that time, Scott said Mescal was busy with the Beatles project and suggested that he might have to release the actor from The Dog Stars.
The casting change therefore occurred more than a year before the current dispute over the reason for Mescal’s departure.
Gladiator II and the Competing Accounts
The new allegation links the casting change to Gladiator II’s commercial results rather than to scheduling.
Just Jared reported that Gladiator II earned approximately $462 million worldwide, while identifying the “masculine” claim as part of the report rejected by Scott’s representative.
The use of anonymous sources means the allegation cannot be treated as an established account of Scott’s views or of the production’s internal decision-making.
Scott’s representative offered a direct on-the-record denial, but the representative’s statement is also the production’s public response rather than independent confirmation of every private scheduling detail.
No public statement from Mescal confirming the reported allegation has been identified in the coverage reviewed for this article.
The Film After Mescal
Elordi ultimately replaced Mescal as the lead of The Dog Stars.
The film also features Josh Brolin, according to Variety’s report on its trailer and production.
The Dog Stars was scheduled for release on August 28, 2026.
The September report appeared after the film’s release, reviving attention around a casting decision that had previously been explained publicly as a matter of scheduling.
For now, the documented record contains an anonymously sourced allegation, the earlier scheduling explanation, and a categorical denial from Scott’s representative.
Until additional on-the-record evidence emerges, the claim that Scott dismissed Mescal because he considered him insufficiently masculine should be reported as an allegation, not as fact.
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