Gladiator II: A Son’s Legacy and Revenge “`
Warning: This post contains spoilers from Gladiator II.
While the first film may not feature a show-stopping performance from as a manipulative arms dealer, the Best Picture winner does establish several plot elements crucial to the sequel.
Almost 25 years after Ridley Scott’s Russell Crowe-led story of Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius’ quest for revenge against Commodus, the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and enslaved him, Gladiator II, now in theaters, follows a new warrior’s struggle against Rome’s ruling powers.
Paul Mescal stars as Lucius Verus, the adult son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, who appeared as a child in the 2000 original, played by Spencer Treat Clark. Lucius lives under the alias Hanno in Numidia. A Roman invasion, led by General Marcus Acacius, changes everything when his wife dies and he’s sold into slavery in Rome, now ruled by the unstable brothers Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).
Gladiator II is set 15 years after Maximus’ death in the first film and reveals Lucius—believed by some to be Lucilla’s late husband’s son, and by others, her brother Commodus’ son—is Maximus’ son. His true parentage becomes evident when he fights in the Colosseum.
“Maximus was a Roman military leader facing barbarian armies,” screenwriter David Scarpa explained in the film’s production notes. “Lucius is a barbarian defending his home from Roman invaders. Maximus was loyal to [Emperor Marcus Aurelius]. Lucius hates Rome. Yet both are forced to fight to the death for the mob’s entertainment.”
Following Maximus’ death, Lucilla secretly took Lucius away to protect him from those who would kill him. However, feeling abandoned, Lucius initially rejects his heritage and rightful claim to Rome.
When Lucius enters the arena as a gladiator (Pedro Pascal), his aim is revenge against Acacius for his wife’s death and his people’s enslavement. Surprisingly, Acacius is married to Lucilla and, unexpectedly, proves to be a decent man. Unfortunately, this realization comes too late to save him from Caracalla and Geta.
Acacius’ death compels Lucius to challenge Macrinus, the power behind the tyrant twins, striving for a better Rome as envisioned by his father and grandfather, Marcus Aurelius. While Gladiator II concludes on a largely positive note, Scott hints at a third film.
“I’ve lit the fuse,” Scott stated. “Gladiator II’s ending resembles The Godfather, with Michael Corleone facing an unwanted role, wondering, ‘Now, Father, what do I do?’ The next film will be about a man unwillingly in his position.”