Gladiator II
Gladiator IIdevelops the family relationship between its champion , Lucius Verus , and that of his predecessor , Maximus Decimus Meridius . Gladiator II ’s ensemble castis led by Paul Mescal , who is playing the type of Lucius . Lucius was part of the first moving-picture show as the child of Connie Nielsen ’s Lucilla , though his role was comparatively small . InGladiator II ’s larger-than-life taradiddle , Lucius is now a grownup man and takes his own retaliation against the Roman Empire via way of gladiatorial fighting .
This emulates the news report of the first movie;Gladiator ’s fictionalized historic name MaximusDecimus Meridius underwent a similar journey in the 2000 pic , finally finding his way to his at peace wife and child via his own death . Now , Gladiator II ’s timelineechoes the legacy of Maximus through Lucius , provide a thematic connection between the two protagonist . However , Gladiator IItakes this connection a step further and makes it a personal one , begging the doubtfulness of what Maximus ' human relationship with Lucius truly is .
Gladiator 2 Confirms Maximus Is Lucius' Father
Lucius Is The Son Of The First Film’s Titular Gladiator
AlthoughGladiatoris not the most historically exact movie , Lucius Verus is one of the many characters free-base on a veridical historic public figure . In material life-time , however , Lucius Verus died at an early historic period , and his begetter , also identify Lucius Verus , was killed . As such , Gladiatornever in a flash confirmed who Lucius ' father is , leaving the doorway open for Maximus to serve in this part . InGladiator II , it is finally confirm that Maximus is officially Lucius ' father .
prizefighter 2 ’s second trailer discover some major plot information pertaining to the 2024 picture – including some that confirms a huge Maximus hypothesis .
This is confirmed by Lucilla herself , who tells Lucius of his heritage . As alluded to , Lucius ' fib mirror Maximus in that he has his world altered by the Roman Empire in some mode , look for revenge by making a name for himself as a gladiator . InGladiator II , Lucilla accredit these parallels and tells Lucius to take his father ’s effectiveness , stating that his name was Maximus . This coincides with Lucius taking up Maximus ' armor and steel , fully embracing his male parent and the legacy that comes with it .
Maximus Being Lucius' Dad Was A Popular Theory After Gladiator
Gladiator II Confirms A Long-Running Fan Theory
Since 2000 , it has been a common theory that Lucius was the son of Maximus . The reason for this stems from their connexion in the first movie . While it remains unfeigned that Lucius did not have an overtly large theatrical role inGladiator , he was show to be inspired by Maximus at various point throughout the film . The first group meeting between Lucius and Maximus involves the former telling the latter that he wish him and that he will urge for him in the arena . As Maximus ' influence grow , so too does Lucius ' reverence of him .
For this understanding , many theorize that Lucius was Maximus ' son . That suppose , the first film never outright confirmed this as true statement , leaving only hints and teases that the theories could be honest . Regardless , Gladiator IIprovides the recollective overdue confirmation in interrogation , solidifying the relationship between Lucius and Maximus , thus informing the former ’s striver human relationship withDenzel Washington ’s Macrinus inGladiator II .
Lucilla ’s erotic love for Maximus shine through and the two often speak about protecting Lucius from Commodus …
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Another component inGladiatorthat spawn the theories that Maximus was Lucius ' father was the former ’s preceding human relationship with Lucilla . Despite an accurate timeline never being provided , there are many references to a amatory past times between Maximus and Lucilla . At several full stop , Lucilla ’s love for Maximus shines through and the two often speak about protecting Lucius from Commodus and his psychotic ways . Knowing that the two were once a distich , the hypothesis that Lucius is Maximus ' son gained more credenza .
Why Gladiator Did Not Confirm That Lucius Was Maximus' Son
Gladiator’s Thematic Focus Was On Maximus' Other Child
WithGladiator IIconfirming the possibility about Maximus and Lucius 24 old age after the first film ’s sacking , the question of why the latter did not do so is certainly valid . The reason for this stems from the emotional , thematic core of Maximus ' role inGladiator . The film focuses entirely on Maximus ' desire for retaliation against the Roman Emperor , Commodus , for the murder of the former ’s wife and boy . maximal family was pop after he refused to support the base sovereignty of Commodus , kickstarting his intact arc .
Not confirming the hypothesis inGladiatorwas the right call regarding piss Maximus ' discharge more emotionally hearty …
Therefore , Gladiatorfocused all on this upshot as the emotional mall dot of Maximus ' character . Had the motion picture formally confirmed that Lucius was Maximus ' Logos , it would have detracted somewhat from his revengearc . Although it is definitely not unrealistic for Maximus to still desire revenge for his dead Logos despite feature another , the question of why Maximus could not have rivet on raising Lucius after find out would have been raised . For this reason , not confirming the possibility inGladiatorwas the good call regarding get Maximus ' spark more emotionally satisfying .
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How Lucius & Maximus Relationship Ties Into Gladiator 2’s Story
Lucius Is Continuing His Father’s Legacy
Another reason as to whyGladiatordid not confirm Lucius ' parentage is simply because it servesGladiator II ’s story better . As mentioned , the lack of a reveal made Maximus ' story more compelling , yet the opposite is reliable for Lucius . Lucius ' character arc inGladiator IIis driven by a very alike chain of events as Maximus ' was in the first picture . As such , Lucius ' story being not only thematically but directly enliven by Maximus makes a luck of sense .
Lucius ' story in Gladiator II starts with his loved one being killed when the Romans invade the province of Numidia , much like Maximus ' other aspects in Gladiator .
The means in which the moving-picture show show this direct divine guidance is by confirm Maximus as Lucius ' father . Given that Maximus has become such an iconic , kindly booster , tying his bequest into the narration of aGladiatorsequel can only have positive benefits . That is exactly the case withGladiator IIand Lucius ' tale . Lucius is already a strong protagonist irrespective , but the concept that he is continuing the bequest of his father by taking the conflict to the elites of the Roman Emperor is made all the more compelling by the reveals about his and Maximus ' relationship .
What Lucius Being Maximus' Son Means For Gladiator 3
The Future Of The Gladiator Franchise Could Develop Maximus' Legacy Even Further
The final major interrogation that is deserving exploring givenGladiator II ’s Maximus - Lucius reveal is what this could mean forGladiator III.In September 2024 , Ridley Scott confirmed toPremiere(viaTHR ) that he already had a story outline for a thirdGladiatormovie . Scott stated that his estimation stemmed from Lucius ' heritage , insisting that the bequest of Maximus that is being placed on him may be one that he does not want to consider with . This is for sure an interesting estimate and would mean Lucius ' relationship with Maximus carry over to a third film .
What is even more intriguing about this thought is that Russell Crowe could return as Maximus inGladiator IIIin some mental ability . Of of course , Maximus died inGladiator , and that should never be reversed . But Lucius reckoning with Maximus ' legacy could see flashback scenes be included inGladiator IIIthat give up Crowe to make a cameo or supporting office . Regardless of whether this happens or not , it is clear thatGladiator II ’s confirmation of Lucius and Maximus ' family relationship would intend heavy things for the final installing in a potential trilogy .
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Cast
prizefighter 2 is the follow - up to Ridley Scott ’s award - get ahead moving-picture show Gladiator from 2000 . Robert Falcon Scott return to direct the continuation , with Paul Mescal star as Lucius , alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta . Gladiator 2 had been stuck in growing infernal region for yr before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward .
