Gladiator II
Ridley Scott’sGladiator 2is miss a vital member of the stamp that made the first film such a tremendous success . Djimon Hounsou ’s character , Juba , played a pivotal role in the first film , and write up from last year speculated that he ’d return . alas , it ’s since been confirmed that Hounsou wo n’t be in the sequel after all . It would seem that Juba will be among a collection ofcharactersGladiator 2won’t be bringing back .
In the first film , Russel Crowe ’s character , Maximus , is kidnap in his sleep and deal as a Gladiator . Maximus ( Crowe ) meet Juba ( Hounsou ) , who care for his wounds . The allegiance between the brother in arms grows throughout the movie . Atthe end ofGladiator , Maximus give out from his wounds by Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) , and Juba speaks the film ’s net communication channel . It ’s unclear precisely how Juba would have played a part in the film , but there was likely a way for him to fit into the giving image .
Djimon Hounsou Was Originally Supposed To Return As Juba In Gladiator
It Is Unknown What Juba’s Role Would Have Been
" Honestly , no . And this was a stark fortuity in the way of life it stretch . I was going to be part of it . "
Juba is a pregnant character in Maximus ' journey because he reinvigorates Maximus ' purport when he is at his lowest point . As Maximus ' cause for dwell ( his soldier and his sept ) was engage away , Juba renewed his focus . Juba ’s motivation to reunite with his family was a catalyst for Maximus . Juba kept Maximus ' attention on stay animated . He say in one prospect that Maximus would see them again but that his meter had not yet come .
Scheduling Conflicts May Have Kept Djimon Hounsou From Returning For Gladiator 2
That Being The case Indicates The Sequel’s Story Was Going To Involve Juba
When explainingwhy he would not appear in theGladiatorsequel , Hounsou said that " condition dictated it . " When talk about his absence , his busy agenda around the same time seems to be the most probable reason he could not be a part of the sequel . If that is the case , Hounsou could not participate in film forGladiator 2,which took place between June 2023 and wrapped up in January 2024 . It seems that afterRebel Moon , parts one and two ( filmed back to back until late 2022 ) , Hounsou could not find oneself the time forGladiator 2 .
Gladiator II will feature Denzel Washington in a villainous office , repeat one of the best calling style from throughout the doer ’s filmography .
Djimon Hounsou has multiple projects that are coming out in 2025 that could have conduce to this schedule conflict . These let in Alex Parkinson ’s natural selection thriller remaking of a 2019 docudrama calledLast breathing space . Another project that could have contributed is a skill - fiction thriller calledBeneath The Storm . The Zealotis another project in which Hounsou play a Somalian - American airport shuttle gadget driver , although this did not in all probability kick in as cinematography has only begun this year .
How Djimon Hounsou’s Juba Could Have Factored Into Gladiator 2
He Could Have A Significant Impact In A Limited Scope
In the final scene of Gladiator , Juba honors Maximus ’s last request . He buries two little figurines of Maximus ' married woman and child in the surface area where he died at the Colosseum . He has a smile on his face , knowing that he is now a free man due to Maximus ' sacrifice . It is foreshadowed that Juba will reunify with his wife and kid from his motherland . From what we know of Juba ’s story and the story ofGladiator 2 , it seems potential that Juba would have played a specific role in the subsequence .
" I will see you again , but not yet . Not yet . " Juba ’s final line inGladiator
InGladiator 2 , Paul Mescal plays an adult Lucius around two decades into the future . He becomes a gladiator after his crime syndicate is killed in a narrative that echoes Maximus ' discharge . Juba would very likely have been a wise man figure for Lucius as he enter the prizefighter populace , trying to emulate the greatness that was Maximus . It would make sense for Juba to assist Lucius if he sought out his help . However , as significant of a character as Juba is , it feels right that he does not get affect and lives jubilantly with his phratry for the rest of his spirit .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
Gladiator II is one of 2024 ’s secure blockbusters , but at times , it falters under the insistence of the standards set by its predecessor .
With a few exceptions , Gladiator 2features new cast and charactersunrelated to the first movie . The exclusion in this regard are Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus . Djimon Hounson not being able to return for the subsequence is disappointing . The fictitious character of Juba is an incredibly patriotic and loving ally to Maximus who offer some reflections on their experience . It would have been interesting to see him as a mentor figure for Lucius , but the way his story left off in the first motion picture is still very satisfying and heartwarming .
Source : BroBible
Custom Image by Dabanjan Chowdhury.
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Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow - up to Ridley Scott ’s award - winning film Gladiator from 2000 . George C. Scott returns to direct the subsequence , with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius , alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta . Gladiator 2 had been stuck in maturation netherworld for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally displace forth .
