Paul Mescal to star in Merrily movie

According to The Hollywood Reporter (via Above the Line), Normal People star Paul Mescal - who can currently be seen on the Almeida stage as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire - has been tipped to play Franklin Shepard in Richard Linklater's big-screen adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along.

Mescal replaces the previously cast Blake Jenner, who recently left the production following allegations of domestic abuse. Linklater's movie, annouced four years ago, will star Ben Platt (Charley) and Beanie Feldstein (Mary) and is being filmed over a period of two decades. The first segment (of nine) has already been shot, in August 2019, and Mescal has reportedly already filmed his part.

It's early in 2023, but Mescal is having a good year so far, notably having been confirmed as the lead in Ridley Scott's Gladiator sequel. But can he sing? Footage of his school production of Phantom of the Opera would suggest so...