SNL Recap: Paul Mezcal Sings in Gladiator II Spoof of Wicked

Paul Mezcal rethought Gladiator II into a musical sensation during his Saturday Night Live debut, and yes, you read that right.

“Gladiator II was a hit, grossing over $300 million worldwide, but then we saw the massive success of Moana 2 and Evil,” said a voiceover announcer during the sketch on Saturday, December 7. “So, after a few hasty retakes, Gladiator II now it’s … a musical.”

The voiceover continued, “It’s the same historical epic that audiences loved, but with an extra 50 minutes of songs.”

Mezcal, 28, costars in Gladiator II, sequel to the 2000 filmtogether Pedro Mezcal and Denzel Washington. The film dropped late last month on the same day like a movie musical Wicked. Sequel to the Disney animated film Moanameanwhile, hit theaters a few days later.

Mezcal repeated his Gladiator II role of SNL for a pre-recorded number. Along with the vaudevilles, Mezcal sang against the backdrop of grueling Roman battles.

“No Place Like Rome” Kenan Thompson was singing. “Swords and sandals / Whores and scandals / And empires stretching from East to West.”

Mezcal agreed, chipping in, “Yeah, I think I’ll like it here.”

The Normal people alum also got his own solo song as his character checked his reflection in a sword.

“One look at me / And all they see / is a killing machine,” belted Mezcal. “But they don’t know / So far down / I’m so much more than I see.”

He added: “They call me a Gladiator / They call me a slave / They call me a killer / But someday they’ll know my name. / I’ll cut my way to freedom / Cut my way to the next act / Now while I’m in the Coliseum / When I go on the attack. / Someday they’ll know my name.”

In addition to Mezcal’s show-stopping monologue, the fake trailer featured a “song for the women” (aka a ballad sung by Jane Wickline pretending to be one of the soldiers’ wives awaiting his safe return) and Hamilton– rap style. (Lin-Manuel Mirandawho wrote the Tony winning Hamiltonalso wrote the music for Moana but not its sequel.)

“Look at his little bits with his bowl win,” Mezcal said during a mock rap battle with Mikey Dayis a fictitious emperor. “Sit your ass, thumbs up.”

Mezcal and Day, 44, then challenged each other to a thread-dancing competition.

The trailer, of course, also pays tribute to Evil yourself with Mezcal riding a broom and wearing a classic witch’s hat. He girded himself Cynthia ErivoHigh note on “Defying Gravity” as he sings the line “There’s no place like Rome” to end the skit.

Saturday’s episode also featured musical performances by the 2025 Grammy nominees Shabuzi and surprise cameo by a social media star Tricia Paytaswho played herself in a skit for the 2024 Spotify Wrapped list.

Elsewhere in the episode, Mezcal uses his monologue to discuss his penchant for filming dramatic and nude scenes. Another highlight happened when Mezcal and the men SNL they played pirate themed hen party entertainers. (And yes, Mezcal briefly rips his shirt at the end.)

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC Saturdays at 11:30pm ET.