Gladiator II

Even though Denzel Washington ’s Macrinus was one of the best character inGladiator II , he could ’ve been a much better villain if he had more time to rule over Rome . The story ofGladiator IIfollows Lucius , who is forced to become a prizefighter and fight in the arena as he plots his revenge against the Roman Empire for the death of his wife . In the film , it is expose that Lucius is actuallythe son of Russell Crowe ’s Maximusfrom the firstGladiatormovie . Therefore , there are a lot of similarities betweenGladiator IIand the original film .

In addition to Washington , thecast ofGladiator IIincludes Paul Mescal , Pedro Pascal , Connie Nielsen , Joseph Quinn , and Fred Hechinger . While several persona inGladiator IIare very interchangeable to iconic characters from the original motion-picture show , Washington ’s Macrinus is one of the more unique addition to the sequel . Macrinus is an arms dealer and gladiator possessor who finally bring down the Roman Emperors . However , he is eventually killed at theend ofGladiator II , change his end from the real living version of Macrinus .

Gladiator 2 Kills Macrinus Before He Could Become Rome’s Official Emperor

Macrinus' Rule Over Rome Was Cut Short In Gladiator 2

Macrinus is one of the most interesting character inGladiator IIbecause he was actually once a striver owned by former Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius . Therefore , now that he is destitute and has become an influential businessman , Macrinus is also search revenge against the Roman Empire . After being a hard worker for so long , Macrinus wants all the powerfulness to himself . InGladiator II , he position himself to be one of the most commit consultant of twinEmperors Geta and Caracalla .

While Lucius is the lead in Ridley Scott ’s Gladiator II , Denzel Washington ’s Marcinus has a much more compelling revenge story in the sequel .

However , Macrinus ends up turning Caracalla against Geta . With the supporter of Macrinus , Caracalla kills his own blood brother , becoming the sole Emperor of Rome . Macrinus ' scheming does n’t stop there , though , and he terminate up killing Caracalla , as well . After the expiry of both Emperors , Macrinus lease control of Rome . The real life adaptation of Macrinus also ruled over Rome , but the version catch inGladiator IIisn’t actually officially made Emperor of Rome because he go too speedily at the hand of Lucius .

Gladiator II Official Poster

Macrinus Ruled Rome For One Year In Real Life After Caracalla’s Death

The Real Life Version Of Macrinus Didn’t Kill Caracalla Himself

The real life public figure that Washington’sGladiator IIcharacter is base on was cite Marcus Opellius Macrinus . In real life , he served as a praetorian prefect for Emperor Caracalla , which was a gamy range title of respect in the Roman Empire . He handled many of the civic affairs in Rome , but revere for his own spirit under Caracalla ’s rule . Therefore , Macrinus plotted to have Caracalla kill , and allegedly sent an United States Army officer to polish off the Roman Emperor .

Macrinus is known as the only Roman Emperor to never typeset groundwork in Rome during his formula , but he still attempt to improve the imperium .

Macrinus was chair a campaign against the Parthians in modern - sidereal day Iran when Caracalla was remove , but still proclaimed himself Emperor upon his dying . Since Macrinus had the support of the Roman army , the Senate had no choice but to support his rule . Macrinus is have a go at it as the only Roman Emperor to never set foot in Rome during his pattern , but he still attempted to ameliorate the Empire . However , not everyone agreed with his decisions as Emperor , which lead to Macrinus being execute alongside his unseasoned son , whom he had proclaimed co - Emperor , just one twelvemonth after he took ascendancy of Rome .

Denzel Washington as Macrinus looking serious in Gladiator 2

Why Gladiator 2 Changed Macrinus' History As Rome’s Emperor So Drastically

Macrinus' Rule Over Rome In Gladiator 2 Was Completely Different

Gladiator IImade several significant changes to the existent Macrinus ' rule as Emperor . rather of being named Emperor when he was chair a war campaign , Washignton ’s Macrinus takes control of Rome from within the metropolis . InGladiator II , Macrinus is directly responsible for the deaths of both Geta and Caracalla , and successfully becomes the ruler of Rome . However , since he is in Rome , Macrinus ' rule is much more unsteady than it was in tangible lifespan .

In real life , Carcalla ’s aunt , Julia Maesa , declared her 14 - yr - honest-to-god grandson , Elagabalus , as Emperor and challenged Macrinus ' ruler .

InGladiator II , Macrinus ' dominion over Rome is cut short to provide Lucius with a satisfying ending . While Marinus is one of the most prominent persona inGladiator II , Lucius is the key character of the film . Macrinus is also seek retaliation against the Roman Empire , but Lucius is presented as the much more ethical character in the film . Therefore , the climax ofGladiator IIfocuses on Lucius free himself and defeating Macrinus .

Paul Mescal as Lucius rubbing dirt into his hands in Gladiator 2

Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.

At the end ofGladiator II , Macrinus places Lucilla , Lucius ' mother , in the arena . Lucius and the other gladiators attempt to save her biography , butMacrinus ends up killing Lucilla himself by shooting her with an pointer . This leads to the final affaire d’honneur between Lucius and Macrinus inGladiator II . Lucius catches up with Macrinus as he is attempting to flee the city , fully cognizant of how much risk he is in within Rome . Lucius kills Macrinus at the end of the celluloid , which means thatGladiator II’sversion of Macrinus barely ruled over Rome before his death .

Denzel Washington Would’ve Needed Gladiator 3 To Tell Macrinus' Real History Properly

There Is No Reason For Macrinus To Appear In Gladiator 3

Since Macrinus does n’t hit full restraint of Rome until the orgasm ofGladiator II , his death feels somewhat rushed . The real life Macrinus did not have a long reign as Emperor either , but he was capable to make some meaning decision during his dominion . Right whenGladiator II’sMacrinus takes control condition of Rome , he is immediately lunge into battle with Lucius , which he loses . Therefore , Gladiator IIdid not have the time to tell the real life chronicle of Macrinus ' rule . This is disappointing , astaking more stirring from the real life Macrinus would ’ve made Washington ’s character even more intriguing .

Denzel Washington brought something to Gladiator 2 that I never expected to see in the sequel : comedy . Macrinus is a laugh riot in this movie .

However , Macrinus would ’ve needed to remain awake forGladiator 3to properly explore more aspects of his regulation . If Macrinus did survive the case ofGladiator II , a third film could have introduced his boy , who would become carbon monoxide gas - emperor moth . Gladiator 3could have also showed Macrinus and his son ’s writ of execution , which would have made for an intense and passably tragical moment in the movie . However , as it stands , telling the real lifespan narration of Macrinus was n’t the priority ofGladiator II , and the intriguing character did not survive the result of the picture show .

Denzel Washington looking up in Gladiator 2

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Cast

prizefighter 2 is the follow - up to Ridley Scott ’s honor - winning motion-picture show Gladiator from 2000 . Scott returns to channelize the sequel , with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius , alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta . Gladiator 2 had been stick in development hell for old age before a book written by David Scarpa finally moved forward .

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

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

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Gladiator II