Joseph Quinn reckons film fans are not prepared for Paul Mescal’s “devastating” performance in the Gladiator sequel.

The Stranger Things actor teased his co-star’s impactful lead performance as he reflected on shooting Ridley Scott’s historical epic.

“We had an amazing time. I made some fantastic friends on it,” he said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “Working with Denzel Washington, that doesn’t ever happen, so I learned a lot from him and watching him work and trying to keep up with him.”

He then teased, “Paul is devastating in this film, I don’t think people are ready for it.”

The Normal People actor plays Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Roman Empire, in the follow-up to 2000’s Gladiator, while Quinn and Fred Hechinger play co-emperors Caracalla and Geta.

During his interview, the British actor admitted shooting the film in Scott’s expansive ancient Rome set was an experience he’ll never forget.

“It was kind of the maddest experience of my life in a way. Don’t think it’s going to get madder than that,” he recalled. “But an extraordinary thing just in terms of the fact that Ridley he builds worlds, doesn’t he? So he built ancient Rome. So to bear witness to all of that, let alone participate in the making of it, was a privilege.”

He went on to praise the Alien filmmaker, calling him a “force of nature” who directs with “profound confidence”.

Gladiator II, also starring Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, will be released in cinemas in November.

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