Paul Mescal looked unrecognisable on the set of his new film as he debuted a brand new look.
The Irish actor, who shot to fame in BBC series Normal People, was spotted on the set of his upcoming movie The History Of Sound, which is being shot in Italy, on Thursday afternoon.
While the 28-year-old heartthrob usually rocks a clean-shaven look, he appeared to have grown a moustache for his new role and wore his hair in a side parting as he got into character as Lionel, one of the movie’s two main protagonists.
Based on the short story by Ben Shattuck of the same name, the film follows two young men who fall in love while travelling together to record the stories and songs of their American countrymen who travelled to Europe to fight during World War One. Paul’s love interest in the movie is played by Josh O’Connor, who won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a young Prince Charles in Netflix drama The Crown.
In the candid snaps, Paul is seen getting into character as he donned a sharp three-piece pinstripe suit with a white shirt and red polka dot tie. At one point he was seen throwing his head back during a break in filming as he shared a joke with the film’s director Oliver Hermanus. Another snap showed a sunglasses wearing Paul smoking a cigarette, though it is unclear if it was for a scene in the film or not.
His new movie is expected to be released in 2025. And it’s not the first time Paul – who is straight – has played a gay character. He recently starred opposite ‘Hot Priest’ from Fleabag Andrew Scott in film All Of Us Strangers, which is available to watch now on Disney Plus.
Opening up on being cast in gay roles, Paul argued straight actors should be allowed to play such roles – but on one condition. He told The Sunday Times: “It depends who’s in charge of telling the story. The issue is that there have been so many queer performances in cinema that have been offensive, but that’s because the filmmakers and the actors have been careless. I don’t think this film exists in that conversation whatsoever. And that’s it.”
Paul further explained: “Historically, when there’s been performances that have been deemed offensive, it’s when actors or storytellers are attempting to play a sexuality. It’s impossible. And I often think that one of the least interesting parts of these characters is their sexuality. They contain so much more than just that, and that’s what I like to find in this story. Not just a queer love story, but as a love story in general.”
Though Paul, who has been likened to a young Marlon Brando, is already one of the most in demand actors of the moment, he is gearing up for biggest film to date being released at the end of this year. Gladiator 2, in which Paul plays the lead in Ridley Scott’s sequel to the Roman epic starring Russell Crowe, is set for release in November. It also stars Hollywood heavyweight Denzel Washington and Saltburn star Barry Keoghan.
Until Crowe appeared in Gladiator he enjoyed a similar mid-level fame as Paul does now, so how does he think he will cope when the blockbuster is finally released in cinemas. He confessed: “I don’t know what the difference will be. Maybe that’s naive? Is it just that more people will stop you in the street? I’d get profoundly depressed if that’s so and hope it isn’t true. I’ll have answer next year, but if the film impacts my life in that way, I’ll be in a bad spot. I’d have to move on and do an obtuse play nobody wants to see.”
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