Paul Mescal melted hearts last night when he attended the Irish premiere of his latest film, Gladiator II.
As the crowd descended on the edge of the red carpet, the man of the hour, introduced as “the man, the myth, the legend”, moved through fans of all ages who were there to welcome him.
From 10am yesterday, fans and curious onlookers assembled ahead of the premiere of the Ridley Scott film.
They held up copies of the book Normal People, posters of Gladiator and even a passport for the star to sign.
Tamari Fourre (26), from Bordeaux, France, was so flustered by the star’s arrival that he handed him his travel document to sign rather than a poster.
Is this someone’s actual valid passport? It’s got an eagle on it
He told the Irish Independent that he saw Mescal was arriving at the premiere, which coincided with his own arrival.
“I didn’t have a book or a poster so I thought, ‘Why not just hand over my passport?’,” he said.
“It’s my valid passport, but it’s OK, they don’t stamp them any more. I needed it customised anyway.”
On receiving the passport, Mescal said: “Is this someone’s actual valid passport? It’s got an eagle on it.”
Although initially reluctant, the actor did end up signing it.
Paul Mescal reacts to Dublin lookalike competition
Mescal mingled with die-hard fans who were well-versed in his tastes and imprint on pop-culture.
The Kildare star also reacted to news of a lookalike competition held yesterday in Smithfield, Dublin, saying that those who participated in it “had the spirit of it”.
“We all know Irish lads wear the shorts, it’s not fashion,” he said.
The star was greeted by cheers of “Ole, Ole, Ole” as he arrived at the Light House Cinema.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. I’m fully speechless,” he said.
“Today has been a special day. These tours are long, amazing things – this has totally knocked me for six, today especially. I won’t ever forget this.”
Mescal was joined by his mother Dearbhla, his father Paul and sister Nell.
Reacting to seeing the star, Kenzie O’Toole, from Dublin, was delighted.
“He’s worth the hype. My hands are shaking,” she said.
We do love an Irish celeb, and he is very down to earth, he seems like a nice person
Ellen Cusker (20), who is a student in Dublin, said: “It’s great to see an Irish celebrity do so well.
“We do love an Irish celeb, and he is very down to earth, he seems like a nice person.”
Asked about whether Mescal, a star of stage and screen, was redefining what it meant be a male actor, Ellen said: “Definitely. Even with Normal People, that was very ground-breaking – Irish men have a habit of holding their emotions in and he portrayed that very well and showed the impact of that on their well-being”.
Ellen’s friend, Saoirse Kennedy (20), said: “It’s nice to see him at a local cinema. He’s very good at portraying emotional characters.
“I want to see him in more theatre roles, especially after A Streetcar Named Desire.”
As the crowd in front of the cinema began to disperse, many were left to ponder how Mescal would break their hearts this time around on the big screen.
Gladiator II, which opens on November 22, co-stars Mescal and Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.