Paul Mescal Comments on 'Wicked' & 'Gladiator 2' Having Same Release Date, Approves of 'Glicked' Moniker

Wicked and Gladiator II, two of this year’s most highly anticipated movies, are being released on the same day later this year.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey star in Wicked, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal star in the Gladiator sequel.

You may remember that in the summer of 2023, the same situation occurred with Barbie and Oppenheimer. Fans dubbed it “Barbenheimer,” and had everyone flocking to theaters to see both critically acclaimed movies.

Now, Paul is responding to both Wicked and his Gladiator movie having the same release date.

Keep reading to find out more…

He told ET, “Wickdiator doesn’t really roll off the tongue does it? I think my preference would probably be Glicked if it has a similar effect to what it did for Barbie and Oppenheimer. It would be amazing ’cause I think the films couldn’t be more polar opposites and it worked in that context previously. So fingers crossed people come out and see both films on opening weekend.”