'How much protein in Denny sausages?' - Fans react to preview of Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2

Kildare man, Paul Mescal, has been revealed as Lucius Verus in exclusive pictures of Gladiator II.

In photos published by Vanity Fair, the Normal People actor is seen as Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla and nephew of Commodus, who Connie Nielsen and Joaquin Phoenix played in the first film.

Donning a full suit of armour and leather kilt, fans of Paul have taken to the comments to discuss the upcoming blockbuster.

According to Paul Mescal with Vanity Fair, Gladiator II is about “what human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win.”

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As the film begins, Mescal’s Lucius has a wife and child, and lives a relatively peaceful life with them until conquerors from his homeland begin to encroach. “He’s taken root in a seacoast town in Numidia,” Director Ridley Scott says. “It’s one of the last surviving civilizations, as the Romans begin to descend in North Africa and take it all over.”

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Surprised by his dramatic muscular transformation, one fan wrote, "OMG he's ripped" while another said: "Great casting, the Irish takeover of Hollywood continues!"

One fan humerously added: "Jesus, how much protein are in Denny sausages?"

Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Marcus Acacius, a Roman general said to have trained under Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the original.