Paul Mescal seems to be effortlessly trendy at Gladiator II UK premiere with co-stars Connie Nielsen, Yuval Gonen and Pedro Pascal on the crimson carpet

The stars of Gladiator II led the red carpet arrivals at London’s Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square for the hotly-anticipated UK premiere on Wednesday. 

Leading star Paul Mescal looked effortlessly stylish as he was joined by his co-stars Connie Nielsen, Yuval Gonen and Pedro Pascal. 

The Irish actor, 28, who plays the former heir to the Roman Empire Lucius Verus in the blockbuster, opted for a smart black suit with a cream satin shirt. 

Connie, 59, looked sensational in a baby blue pleated chiffon gown, with a semi-sheer skirt and thigh-high leg slit. 

The Danish actress teamed the halterneck number with a pair of matching satin  heels and styled her hair into loose waves. 

Paul Mescal looked effortlessly stylish as he walked the red carpet at the UK premiere of Gladiator II on Wednesday

Arriving at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London, the Irish actor, 28, was joined by his co-stars Connie Nielsen, Yuval Gonen and Pedro Pascal

Yuval, who stars as Arishat, stunned in an elegant white gown that featured a corseted bodice. 

Early reviews from critics have called Gladiator II the ‘best movie of the year’ and a ‘true epic’ as they hailed Paul and Denzel Washington’s performances. 

With Russell Crowe’s legendary Maximus long-since dead and buried, it is vengeful Lucius (Paul) who must fight for his liberty in the film after being taken into slavery and ripped away from his wife and daughter by general Marcus (Pedro Pascal).

Paul has revealed the insane bet he had with Ridley Scott over one Gladiator II stunt that caused a huge argument between pair.

In a new interview with Vanity Fair Paul told how there was a scene towards the end of the film where a weary Lucius mounts a horse in hot pursuit of Macrinus.

Paul was keen to do his best for the action-packed moment and the other stunts so ‘trained for f***ing months’ – before Ridley changed his mind about the scene.  

Paul told the publication: ‘Two weeks before the scene, Ridley says, ‘You’re not f***ing doing it,’ and I was like, ‘What the f**k?,’ and we had this argument.’

Ridley had decided to cut the scene due to some equine advice he had received on another movie  

Paul, who plays the former heir to the Roman Empire Lucius Verus in the blockbuster, opted for a smart black suit with a cream satin shirt

Connie, 59, looked sensational in a baby blue pleated chiffon gown, with a semi-sheer skirt and thigh-high leg slit

She styled her hair into loose waves 

Yuval, who stars as Arishat, stunned in an elegant white gown that featured a corseted bodice

She accessorised with a pair of odd earrings and opted for a bronzed makeup look

Paul added of the altercation: ‘I was pestering him constantly. And then the day before, he goes, ‘OK, you can do the stunt, but if you come off, it’s two Bentleys.’

He eventually pulled the move off in just a couple of takes. 

The actor, who rose to fame as Connel Waldron in the BBC‘s lockdown smash hit Normal People, plays the son of Russell Crowe’s legendary Maximus.

Although the character is long-since dead and buried, it is vengeful Lucius (Paul) who must fight for his liberty in the film after being taken into slavery and ripped away from his wife and daughter by general Marcus (Pedro Pascal).

Gladiator II takes place several decades after the first instalment, and features Lucius (the son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla) who is now living in Numidia, a region of northern Africa.

Although he was sent to Numidia as a child, the film follows Lucius’ return to Rome to reunite with his mother—and coming into conflict as he does so.

The film, which was 20 years in the making has been a hit with critics and fans have praised Paul’s performance.