He's about to star in the highly anticipated sequel to Roman epic Gladiator – but Paul Mescal has already given the Italians a glimpse of what they might be in for.

The heart-throb Irish actor, 28, stripped off in a fountain near Rome while filming First World War-era romance The History of Sound.

He was spotted whipping off his pin-striped suit, shirt and shoes before leaping into the 18th-century Fontana Monumentale in Tarquinia.

Based on a story by U.S. author Ben Shattuck, it sees Mescal's character, Lionel, fall in love with David, played by Josh O'Connor – best known as Prince Charles in The Crown.

This latest project is a far cry from Mescal's star turn in Sir Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2. 

Due for release later this year, it will see him take on the Roman Empire as Lucius Verus, the grown-up son of Lucilla, portrayed as a child in the Oscar-winning original from 2000 starring Russell Crowe.

In preparation for the highly physical role, Mescal transformed his body via hours in the gym.

Paul Mescal filming The History of Sound, an upcoming historical romantic drama, in Tarquinia, near Rome, Italy

Mescal will play a leading role in the film, based on a short story of the same name written by Ben Shattuck

Mescal is starring opposite Josh O'Connor in the film, depicting two gay men as they travel together recording stories and songs of WWI combatants

The scenes being filmed see him strip off a pin-striped suit, shirt and shoes before leaping into a fountain

Shattuck's story is about two men who fall in love while travelling together during the First World War

Mescal recently got trim for his upcoming role in Ridley Scott's Gladiator sequel, following on from the 2000 film starring Russell Crowe

The on-location shoot in Italy saw the star step into the fountain in Tarquinia, which lies to the north-west of Rome

Very little was left to the imagination of those who happened to witness the shoot in Italy earlier this week

Mescal stands in the fountain for a scene from the upcoming The History of Sound 

The scenes see him strip off for the fountain before running through the streets barefoot carrying his clothes

Mescal was grinning as he ran through the streets of the Italian city in period-appropriate underwear

Some shots showed him balancing his suit, shirt and braces in one hand as he carries his shoes in the other

A member of the film crew hands Mescal a dressing gown to keep him warm in between takes