Gladiator II

Warning : Contains likely SPOILERS for Gladiator IIGladiator IIpromises plenty of exciting development for the burgeon Ancient Roman enfranchisement , but one of the most shocking relates to a major theory around the original main grapheme – Russell Crowe ’s Maximus Decimus Meridius . Maximus was a hulk central presence in the originalGladiator . His pursuance for retribution follow the murder of his family , coupled with his high-mindedness inspired by wise man Marcus Aurelius , made him both magnetic and empathetic . However , followingGladiator II ’s second major trailer , Maximus ' character now has an extra dimension .

In a surprising minute that reveals much about the fresh movie ’s story , Connie Nielsen ’s Lucilla admits that Maximus is actually her son Lucius ' father . This development confirms a relationship that fans had long - suppose about – directly transforming both the continuation and the original tale . AlthoughGladiator IIis mark to explore Lucius ' journeying ( alongside figures such asDenzel Washington ’s Macrinus ) it ’s decipherable that Maximus ' shadower will continue to loom large over the story , shaping theGladiatorfranchise from beyond the tomb .

How Gladiator (& Ridley Scott) Set Up Maximus Being Lucius' Father

It’s Been Teased For Years

Although Lucilla ’s Maximus revelation might seem surprising , it actually makes perfect good sense within the context of the overall story . While the details of their family relationship were never fully explore , it was always clear that Maximus and Lucilla had a deep personal history . Their initial exchanges in Germania are shoot down with tautness and their chemistry is obvious . Lucilla even asked Maximus if it was " really so terrible see me again ? " hinting at both a roily yesteryear and lollygag attachment . The fact that the two romantically reconnect subsequently in the story only build Lucius ' line of descent easier to understand .

There are also several other elusive clues in the original picture . That Lucius ' effectual father is entirely absent is tell , as is the seemingly innate adhesion that Maximus and Lucius share . Not only is Lucius draw to Maximus ( ill - intentionally calling him the " savior of Rome " in front of his uncle , the emperor butterfly Commodus ) , but the brace portion out a playful exchange before Maximus ' debut in the arena . Lucius ' presence also deters Maximus from assail Commodus earlier in the film – perhaps revealing that , on some degree , he ’s aware of their connection .

How Gladiator 2’s Trailer Confirms Lucius Is Maximus' Son

The Footage Makes Things Very Clear

There is nothing elusive about how theGladiator IItrailer substantiate Lucius ' personal identity . In what seems like an torrid exchange , Connie Nielsen ’s Lucillacommands her alienated son to " take your Father-God ’s strength . " She goes on to nation , " his name was Maximus , " seemingly confirming one of the movie ’s biggest twists onward of dismission .

Of course , it is potential that there is more to the story than the trailer paint a picture . It may be that Lucilla is lying , using Maximus ' computer memory to inspire her boy to aura . It may also be a somewhat misanthropic fakeout from the laggard , wed two separate scenes together to give the illusion of neighboring dialog . However , given the compelling grounds from the former movie , and the elbow room in which Paul Mescal ’s character is intelligibly mirroring the former supporter , it seems dependable to take that Lucius really is Maximus ' boy .

How Lucius Being Maximus' Son Adds To Gladiator 2’s Story

It Makes The Connection To The First Movie More Personal

As impressive asGladiator II ’s visuals look , there rest a logical question over the project ’s narration viability . After all , given that 24 years have passed since the original moving-picture show , and thatGladiatorfeatured a satisfyingly self - check news report , it was n’t always clear what the point of aGladiatorsequel might be . let on that Lucius is Maximus ' sonmakes things much more understandable .

Explicitly connecting the main character to Maximus not only provide a stronger link to the first picture show , it also gives Lucius a more compelling purpose .

Where once it seemed like a previously peripheral character was simply mirroring Maximus ' report like a pale simulacrum , it ’s now exculpated that there is a generational bond drive the floor . Explicitly connecting the master reference to Maximus not only provides a strong nexus to the first picture , it also gives Lucius a more compelling purpose . If the trailer is to be believed , he will be fuelled by both a desire for personal vengeance and a purpose to live on up to his father ’s legacy – a man he once idolized . This immediately makes Lucius a more interesting friend and makes the pic palpate more essential .

Gladiator II Official Poster

It also intimate that some of Maximus ' concerns will cover into this young story . Although the first film ended with Maximus ' asseveration that Rome was to be a commonwealth again , the mien of Geta and Caracalla inGladiator IIdemonstrates that this ambition die before it could take base . Lucius ' Maximus association could position him to finally see his father ’s and grandfather ’s ambition realize . This not only givesGladiator IIthe chance to honour Russell Crowe ’s character directly , but also abide by everything he stood for .

How Lucius Being Maximus' Son Changes Gladiator

Several Aspects Of The Story Are Different In Hindsight

Lucius ' Maximus connection does n’t just change his sequel arc . Retrospectively , it has a vast impact on Maximus ' story in the original celluloid . in the first place , Maximus ' foreign mission was a straightforward quest for retaliation , complicated by the bigger political pic in Rome . Maximus was seen as apart from the play – a soldier who could reestablish order because he had no personal stake in the power struggle . However , have it away that Lucius is Maximus ' son puts a completely different spin on thing . Suddenly , Maximus ' plan to remove Commodus – whatever his intentions – had the duel outcome of making his progeny heir to the imperium .

More than 20 years after the original Gladiator , the sequel go far in 2024 . Here is everything you necessitate to know about Gladiator 2 .

It ’s not clean whether Maximus had any noesis of his link with Lucius . In truth , yield how Lucilla talks about her son in the first film and Maximus ' pleasant indifference , it seems extremely unlikely . However , it does make the consequences of his actions feel even more seismal . Further , there ’s the uncomfortable prospect that Maximus cheated on his married woman with Lucilla . Given that bothhis dead son and Lucius are the same age , the convergence is undeniable . This reframes his theatrical role in light of his infamous " married man to a murdered wife , forefather to a murdered son " speech communication , suggesting he was n’t quite the simple category world he portrayed .

Lucius Lucilla and Maximus standing as a trio

Custom image by Yailin Chacon

How Lucius In Gladiator 2 Mirrors Maximus In Gladiator

There Are Multiple Similarities

Even before the 2d trailer , audiences had note the number of uncannysimilarities between Paul Mescal ’s case and Russell Crowe ’s . Aside from the obvious fact that both end up fight in the arena , the two man follow an almost identical revenge arc . Lucius ' household is destroy by a Roman invasion of his city , play off him against Pedro Pascal ’s sinister general . Like Maximus , he is then sold into bondage , where he meet a wise man figure who gives him the tools he needs to take retaliation .

Beyond the unsubtle brushstrokes of the tale , there are more subtle connections between the two . In the trailer alone , Lucius echo several of Maximus ' most iconic blood line , include " strength and pureness " , and " I will have my retribution " . The comprehension of these details suggests thatGladiator IIhas no wish to be subtle about the connection between the franchise ’s protagonists . The father - son relationship only serves to make this more explicit .

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Cast

Lucilla Gladiator

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Paul Mescal’s Lucius rubs his hands with dirt in Gladiator 2, with a picture of Russell Crowe’s Maximus on the right

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

A composite image of Russell Crowe’s Maximus from Gladiator over a picture of Paul Mescal

Headshot Of Paul Mescal In The 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Movies

Gladiator II