Summary
-
Gladiator II
It features a new cast of characters, including Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) as the main protagonist who challenges the authority of Ancient Rome. - Notable characters such as Juba and Quintus from the original film are absent in the sequel due to the cast change and similarities to new characters.
- The sequel features a star-studded cast with recurring cast members Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, along with new additions Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.
While Gladiator II It is a continuation of the story that began in GladiatorSeveral important characters from the first film do not appear in the sequel, set more than two decades later. GladiatorThe sequel’s story revolves around Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), who becomes a gladiator and challenges authority in Ancient Rome. Lucius was first introduced in Gladiator as the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and was played by Spencer Treat Clark, but director Ridley Scott replaced the role with Mescal.
Due to the deaths of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) at the end of GladiatorThe original protagonist and antagonist cannot return, though there were early discussions of a sequel with Maximus in the afterlife that never came to fruition. In addition to Mescal and a star-studded cast that includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, Nielsen returns to reprise her role as Lucilla, as does Derek Jacobi in the role of Senator Gracchus. This still leaves plenty of important characters surviving. Gladiator characters who are not part of the next chapter of the story.
Related Okay, I’m sold on Gladiator 2 after this big Denzel Washington tease
Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II will certainly be a spectacle, but I’m even more excited after hearing Denzel Washington’s comments on the sequel.
2
|
Gladiator II main cast members |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Pablo Mescal |
Lucio Vero |
|
Peter Pascual |
Marcus Acacius |
|
Denzel Washington |
Macrinus |
|
Connie Nielsen |
Lucila |
|
Jose Quinn |
Emperor Geta |
|
Fred Hechinger |
Emperor Caracalla |
|
Derek Jacobi |
Senator Gracchus |
6 Yuba
Played by: Djimon Hounsou
Near
Juba is the most prominent survivor Gladiator character who does not appear in the sequel. As a slave and gladiator, Juba became a close friend and ally of Maximus as they helped each other, and their friendship is the focus of the film and its underdog story. Unlike Maximus, Juba survived the events of Gladiatorand returned to the Colosseum, where he buried the statuettes Maximus carried of his wife and son. Juba spoke of the freedom he and Maximus had won and how he and Maximus would meet again one day, but “not yet.”
Why isn’t Juba coming back?
Djimon Hounsou was originally announced to reprise his role alongside Connie Nielsen in April 2023. In December 2023, Hounsou shared that he would no longer be in the sequel, despite his initial involvement, due to scheduling conflicts with other projects in his career. It remains to be seen if Juba’s absence will be addressed in Gladiator II.
In the years since
Gladiator
Following the release of ‘s, Hounsou starred
Blood Diamond
for which she received an Oscar nomination, and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DCEU and
A peaceful place
franchises.
5 Fifth
Played by: Tomas Arana
Near
Quintus was initially a friend and ally of Maximus and served alongside him during GladiatorCommodus’ initial battle between the Roman army and the Germanic tribes. Despite this, Quintus sided with Commodus after Marcus Aurelius’ death and had Maximus arrested, and Quintus chose to serve Commodus during the cruel leader’s reign. Quintus later redeemed himself by refusing to aid Commodus when he confronted Maximus, ordering the Praetorian Guards not to aid Commodus either, and honouring Maximus’ dying wishes.
Why isn’t Quintus coming back?
While there is no confirmed reason for Quintus not to appear, it may be because he is too similar to Pascal’s new character, General Marcus Acacius. Like Quintus, Acacius once served alongside Maximus and is a capable warrior who has been promoted to a powerful leadership position. After more than two decades, it is also plausible that Quintus is no longer in command of the Praetorian Guard, especially since Gladiator IIEmperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla might distrust a man who ultimately sided with Maximus instead of Commodus, who was emperor at the time.
4 Antonio Next
Played by: Oliver Reed
Near
Antonius Proximo was the gladiator trainer who purchased Maximus from the slave traders. Proximo recognized Maximus’ potential as a formidable gladiator and mentored him, helping him understand the importance of winning over the crowds watching the gladiatorial games, which Proximo did as a gladiator who used the games to win his freedom. After learning Maximus’ true identity, his history, and his mission, Proximo eventually gave up his own life to help Maximus escape and continue his fight against Commodus and for the good of Rome.
Why Antonio Próximo is not coming back
The actor who played Proximo, Oliver Reed, died in 1999, before Gladiator Filming completed. Some of Reed’s scenes required a body double and computer special effects to complete the film. Gladiator IIWashington’s character, Macrinus, appears to be playing a similar character to Proximo, as Macrinus is a former slave who trains and mentors Lucius, and intends to use Lucius to shape the future of Rome.
Oliver Reed was posthumously nominated by BAFTA and the Screen Actors Guild for his performance in
Gladiator
.
3 Senator Falco
Played by: David Schofield
Senator Falco was first introduced when Commodus introduced the politician to Maximus after the latter led the Roman army to victory against the Germanic tribes. After Commodus’s accession to the throne, Falco became a close ally and advisor to him. Falco advised Commodus on a brutal strategy to use against his enemies, including Maximus, which Commodus followed through on by ruthlessly responding to Maximus and killing or threatening to injure those closest to him.
Why is Senator Falco not returning?
Falco’s fate following the deaths of Maximus and Commodus was never confirmed, but it is likely that he lost his power due to his close ties to Commodus. After the righteous senator Gracchus was reinstated, he would have gone to great lengths to ensure that Falco no longer had any political influence. While his past might indicate that he was a useful ally to Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, without his previous position, they would likely have had no reason to recruit Falco as an ally.
2 Casio
Played by: David Hemmings
Cassius was the master of ceremonies who presided over and narrated the proceedings of the gladiatorial games at the Colosseum. He had a throaty, resonant voice and a great stage presence that served Commodus’s goals of turning the games into an entertaining spectacle intended to distract the masses from the larger problems plaguing Rome.
Why doesn’t Cassius come back?
David Hemmings passed away in 2003, three years after GladiatorGiven the unique and striking cadence of Cassius’ voice, it will be difficult for a new character to foreshadow the events of Gladiator IIHemmings’ games are just as effective as they were in the original film. In-universe, it is reasonable to assume that a different individual is the master of ceremonies after more than two decades, and that Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla have each chosen their own individual for this role.
1 Tigris of Gaul
Voiced by: Sven-Ole Thorsen
Tigris of Gaul was a legendary gladiator who was reputed to be undefeated. Eager to see Maximus defeated for all of Rome to see in the Colosseum, Commodus had Tigris fight Maximus, believing that Tigris would end the threat posed by Maximus’ unexpected return. Not only did Maximus defeat Tigris, he chose to spare his opponent’s life, as Commodus had ordered him to do, and Maximus’ refusal in front of the Roman people was a powerful show of resilience.
Why is the Tigris of Gaul not returning?
Commodus brought Tigris out of retirement to fight Maximus. Between retirement, Maximus’ ruining of his legendary reputation, and the more than two decades that have passed since, Tigris’ glory days as a gladiator are over. Tigris’ experience and history with Maximus could have made him a viable mentor for Lucius, but it seems that Macrinus will fill this role instead. Gladiator II.
Gladiator II Not yet ratedActionDramaEpicHistoryAdventure
Gladiator 2 is the sequel to Ridley Scott’s award-winning 2000 film Gladiator. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Barry Keoghan as the villainous Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally came together.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date November 22, 2024 Screenwriters David Scarpa Cast Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Pedro Pascal