Movies
Who is the main character of ‘Gladiator 2′? That was Lucius, Commodus’ nephew, played by Paul Mescal
The historical character of Imperial Rome seems to be different from the one we will see in the movie.
‘Gladiator 2′, a sequel that caught many by surprise but has become one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Irish actor Paul Mescal stars in the new Ridley Scott film, playing Lucius Verus, nephew of Commodus, the character brought to life by Joaquin Phoenix in the original film. While Spencer Treat Clark played the child Lucius in ‘Gladiator’, a different actor has been chosen for the sequel.
Who is Lucius Verus? ‘Gladiator 2′ will offer us a very changed character, but even with all the suffering he has endured, his story is far from that of someone like Maximus Decimus Meridius, given the origins of one and the other. From there, we will have to see how Ridley Scott places the character who, despite his noble origins, is expected to fight in the arena as a gladiator. In reality, Lucius Verus was Roman co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius in 161 and until he died in 169. He was the adopted son of Antoninus Pius, Roman emperor from 138 to 161, and it is said that Lucius was an outstanding student who had poetry as one of his great hobbies. He ruled Rome with Marcus Aurelius, who gave him control of the army, and was stationed in the East for several years, leading the campaign known as the Parthian Campaign of Lucius Verus in Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Media.
The unexpected return of Gladiator
Few could have expected that more than two decades later ‘Gladiator’ would have a sequel, and it seemed that the original movie did not allow the story to continue, but Ridley Scott saw it differently. A few characters return, with Connie Nielsen in the role of Lucilla, mother of Lucius Verus, and also Derek Jacobi, Senator Gracchus in the first installment. The expected return of Djimon Hounsou in the role of the slave Jubo will not happen, so it does not seem that there will be many connections with the Oscar winner for Best Picture in 2001.
A cast full of novelties and the fact that the years that have passed between one movie and the other will also be noticeable in the story of the sequel. Figures such as Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal are among the most prominent names in a film that aims to be one of the big hits at the box office in 2024.