Director Ridley Scott would have held Irish actor Paul Mescal responsible for the underwhelming performance of Gladiator 2. According to journalist Matt Belloni of publication Puck, Scott would have begun questioning Mescal's suitability to lead his next film, Return Point, going so far as to consider the actor "not masculine enough" for the role.
Mescal has recently become known for starring in Gladiator 2 and Hamnet: A Life Before Hamlet. He had originally been cast to star in the adaptation of Peter Heller's post-apocalyptic novel, which would be produced by Scott.
According to Rolling Stone, shortly before filming began, Mescal left the project and was replaced by Australian actor Jacob Elordi, known for the film Frankenstein. At the time, Mescal's team stated that his departure was due to scheduling conflicts with the Beatles films directed by Sam Mendes, in which the actor will play Paul McCartney.
People close to the production of Return Point, however, disputed this explanation. The true reason for Mescal's departure therefore remains undefined.
