RUSSELL CROWS AS GLADIATOR STAR'S CUT DOWN TO SIZE

Sequel hero Mescal struts in face of critics' barbs

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Russell Crowe won a Best Actor for his work in Gladiator

ACTOR Paul Mescal thought he was a hotshot snaring the Gladiator II role, but cutting reviews have chopped the hunk down to size and sources tell The National ENQUIRER the star of the blockbuster's first epic - Russell Crowe - is privately gloating.

Critics slammed the 28-year-old Irish actor as "a pale imitation of Crowe" who "doesn't hold the screen" and described his performance as "shaky at best."

Paul Mescal is Lucius in 2024's Gladiator II