Paul Mescal, the renowned Irish actor, seems to be carrying his Gladiator II persona with him even in the world of Saturday Night Live. In the first promo for his hosting debut, he showcases a side that is both giddy and fierce. His interactions with the cast members add a layer of humor and excitement to the upcoming episode.

"Mescal's Gladiator II Spirit Takes Center Stage on SNL"

Early Studio Arrival and Method Guy Assumption

When Heidi Gardner and Devon Walker found Paul Mescal in the studio early for the first table read, he admitted to wanting to get a feel for the space. This led Gardner to assume he was one of those method actors. However, Mescal quickly shut down that idea, stating it wasn't his style. But when a confusion arose between Walker and Gardner regarding the script, Mescal fell back into his role as Lucius Verus. His Irish accent disappeared, replaced by the accent of his Gladiator II character.This incident showed Mescal's ability to seamlessly transition between different personas and added an interesting dynamic to the early moments of the show.

The Sword Pull and Declaration of Glory

After the script confusion, Mescal pulled out two swords and declared, "For glory! And for truth!" His attempt to settle the squabble was disrupted when a confused Walker suggested Gardner could have the script. But Mescal was not deterred and continued to embrace his Gladiator II character.This moment highlighted Mescal's commitment to his role and his ability to bring a sense of drama and intensity to the show.

Dealing with Casting Disappointment

When Mikey Day informed Mescal that he wouldn't be able to play Don Jr. on this Saturday's episode as he had hoped, the actor took the news well. He walked off with a smile, showing his good-natured nature. But just seconds later, he was shot with an arrow to the chest and the Gladiator II theme began to play.This unexpected turn of events added another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the promo, leaving viewers eager to see how Mescal would handle the situation on the actual show.

Resuming the Gladiator II Haze

As the promo clip ended, Mescal snapped out of his Gladiator II haze and was once again giddy as he interacted with Gardner and Walker. He expressed his excitement for the week ahead and promised a fun time at the read-through.This showed Mescal's ability to balance his intense Gladiator II character with his more lighthearted side.Shaboozey will be the musical guest for the Dec. 7 episode of SNL, and the show has also announced the lineup for the remaining two shows of the year. Mescal's girlfriend Gracie Abrams will make her debut as musical guest the week after he hosts, alongside Chris Rock. The Dec. 21 show will close out 2024 with Martin Short as host and Hozier as musical guest.Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, promising more exciting moments and performances.