Ridley Scott told Paul Mescal not to have “nerves.”

Paul Mescal tried to downplay his nervousness before “Gladiator II”.

According to the lead actor in the highly anticipated sequel, director Ridley Scott advised him to leave his nerves at the door before production began.

“The first thing (Ridley) said before filming was, 'Your nerves aren't doing me any damn good,' which Ridley sums up, but it's the perfect thing to say because it's so liberating,” Mescal said Total film. “He’s absolutely right.”

The actor added that on the “very first day” of production, there were “a few hundred to a thousand SAs (supporting artists/extras), with fires burning and the walls of Morocco, I thought, 'Ooh – this is fucking big.' “

The sets of the first “Gladiator” film were also reconstructed for the sequel, which takes place 20 years after the events of the 2000 original. Still, Mescal didn't feel the need to watch Gladiator before taking on the role of Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe's late character Maximus.

“I didn't watch it after I was cast, but then watched it with my friends on New Year's Day, which was great… And since it's a different character, it doesn't really add anything (by studying in preparation) there “It's a different character,” Mescal said.

Of Crowe's Oscar-winning performance, he added: “I think the legacy he left behind with that first film is extraordinary.” I think I consciously tried to put people's ideas about the meaning of this film out of my head to get.”

Mescal previously told Esquire that he was “stressed” about “Gladiator II” because it was the “biggest” film he had ever starred in.

“I can't express how stressed I am right now talking about this movie because it's definitely the biggest one I've ever done,” Mescal said. “I'm really excited, but it's difficult to detach myself a little from the legacy of the film. I think it’s really well written and pays homage to the first one, but I think I can easily make it my own.”

He later told The Sunday Times that Gladiator II will most likely be a turning point in his career, especially when it comes to dealing with fame.

“I don't know what the difference will be. Maybe that's naive? Is it just that more people stop you on the street?” Mescal asked. “If that were the case, I would be deeply depressed and hope it wasn’t true. I'll have an answer next year, but if (the film) affects my life like that, I'll be in a bad spot.”