Everyone thought 2025 was going to be the year the "Internet's Daddy" finally walked onto that Dolby Theatre stage with a trophy in hand. Seriously. The buzz around Pedro Pascal and his role as General Acacius in Gladiator II was everywhere for months. It felt like a lock. But when the dust settled at the 97th Academy Awards, the reality was a lot different than the social media hype predicted.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how the Oscar race shifts. One minute you’re the frontrunner because you’re in a Ridley Scott epic, and the next, you’re watching the ceremony from the audience—or your couch—while other names get called. The Pedro Pascal Oscars 2025 story isn't one of a big win, but rather a fascinating look at how competitive the Academy has become and why even a massive blockbuster doesn't guarantee a seat at the table.
The Gladiator II Hype and the Reality of the 97th Academy Awards
When Gladiator II hit theaters in November 2024, the reviews were solid. People loved Paul Mescal, and they especially loved the political maneuvering of Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. Pascal, playing a weary Roman general who just wanted to stop the endless wars, brought a grounded, emotional weight to the film. Critics called it "soulful." Fans called it "Oscar-worthy."
But the Academy is a picky bunch.
By the time the nominations were announced in early 2025, Gladiator II found itself in a weird spot. Despite being a box-office juggernaut—grossing over $460 million worldwide—it only landed a single nomination. And it wasn't for acting. It was for Best Costume Design (shoutout to Janty Yates and Dave Crossman).
What happened to the acting nominations?
Basically, the "Supporting Actor" category became a complete bloodbath. Look at the guys who actually made the cut:
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- Kieran Culkin (the eventual winner for A Real Pain)
- Guy Pearce (The Brutalist)
- Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
- Yura Borisov (Anora)
- Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
That’s a heavy list. Even Denzel Washington, who most experts thought was a "sure thing" for a nomination, got snubbed. If Denzel didn't make it in, Pascal’s chances were unfortunately slim from the jump.
Why the Pedro Pascal Oscars 2025 Buzz Didn't Lead to a Statue
There’s a specific "type" of performance the Academy usually goes for in the supporting categories. They love a scene-stealer or someone who goes through a massive physical transformation. Pascal’s Acacius was subtle. He was the moral compass of the movie, and sometimes the "quiet" roles get overlooked in favor of the loud, flashy ones.
Think about it. Kieran Culkin was playing a chaotic, grieving mess of a human in A Real Pain. That’s Oscar catnip. Pascal was playing a stoic general. It was a great performance, but maybe not "loud" enough for the voters who were already obsessed with the artsy, indie vibe of movies like Anora (which swept the night) and The Brutalist.
Also, let's talk about the "Blockbuster Bias." Even though the Oscars have tried to embrace bigger movies recently, they still tend to lean toward the "serious" dramas when it comes to acting. Gladiator II was a spectacle. A great one, for sure, but the Academy clearly viewed it more as a technical achievement than an acting showcase this time around.
The Competition was Just Too Fierce
It's important to realize that 2025 was a massive year for cinema. We had Adrien Brody making a giant comeback in The Brutalist and Mikey Madison becoming the breakout star of the year in Anora. When you have movies like Emilia Pérez getting 13 nominations, there isn't much room left for the swords-and-sandals guys.
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Pedro Pascal is Doing Just Fine (Seriously)
Don't feel too bad for him. While the Pedro Pascal Oscars 2025 win didn't happen, the man is literally everywhere else. Just because he didn't get an Oscar nod doesn't mean his 2025 was a wash. Far from it.
He’s still the king of television. While the Oscars passed him over, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards were a different story. He showed up to the Emmys looking sharp as hell in an all-white Celine suit, complete with tinted sunnies and white sneakers. He was there nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Last of Us.
That’s the thing about Pascal's career right now: he’s playing the long game.
- He’s leading the Fantastic Four: First Steps as Reed Richards.
- The Last of Us Season 2 is a cultural phenomenon.
- He has Ari Aster’s Eddington on the horizon.
He is currently in that "Leonardo DiCaprio" phase where everyone knows he’s one of the best, and eventually, the Academy will have to give him his due. It might not have been for Gladiator II, but with the caliber of directors he's working with now, a gold statue is probably inevitable.
What Most People Get Wrong About Oscar Snubs
People love to use the word "snub" like it’s an insult. It's not. Getting "snubbed" usually just means you were in the Top 10 but didn't make the Top 5. Honestly, the fact that we were even talking about Pascal in the Oscar conversation for a sequel to a 25-year-old movie says a lot about his talent.
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He brought a level of gravitas to Gladiator II that saved it from being just another action flick. You felt his exhaustion. You felt his conflict. That stays with an audience way longer than a trophy stays in a news cycle.
How to Follow the Next Step in Pedro's Career
If you were hoping to see Pascal on the Oscar stage, don't lose hope for the future. The best way to support his path to the Academy Awards is to keep an eye on his "prestige" projects rather than just the blockbusters.
Keep a close watch on the production of Eddington. It’s an A24 film directed by Ari Aster, starring Pascal alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone. That is exactly the kind of project that the Academy eats up. If he’s going to get that Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor nod, it’s likely going to come from a film that feels a bit more "indie" and character-driven than a Roman epic.
For now, you can re-watch his performance in Gladiator II on digital platforms or 4K Blu-ray to see the nuances that the Academy missed. You'll probably notice the small details in his facial expressions during the arena scenes—stuff that proves he's one of the best working actors today, regardless of what the 2025 winners list says.