The story ofGladiator IItakes place years after the first film, but the movie still honors what came before it every chance it gets. InGladiator II, Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the son ofMaximus Decimus Meridius, who was portrayed by Russell Crowe in the first film. In addition to Mescal, thecast ofGladiator IIincludes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger. In the movie, Lucius is seeking revenge against all the aforementioned actors' characters, an arc that resembles Maximus' in the firstGladiatorfilm.
However, a major difference between the two characters is that Lucius survived inGladiator II. Meanwhile, Maximus died at theend ofGladiator. While Maximus managed to kill Emperor Commodus in the firstGladiatorfilm, he eventually succumbed to a stab wound in his lung. The character of Maximus was iconic, andGladiator IItakes every chance it can to honor him.Gladiator IImakes it clear that Maximus was one of the most popular gladiators ever, and has not been forgotten. There is even a shrine dedicated to Maximus under the Colosseum.
Maximus Was Honored With A Shrine In A Secret Gladiator Burial Site
Maximus Was Honored By Other Gladiators
Just like his father before him, Lucius is also a gladiator inGladiator II, and is forced to fight in the Colosseum. Throughout the film, Lucius wonders about his father’s legacy, so Ravi, a gladiator medic, shows him a shrine dedicated to Maximus. WhileMaximus' name was crossed off the wall of gladiators, a special shrine was made for him. While it is never explicitly explained why Maximus' name was erased from the wall, it was probably done by the Emperor who succeeded Commodus to prevent other gladiators from being inspired by his actions in the arena.
Maximus' shrine is very important in the movie, since Lucius wears Maximus' armor and wields his sword during the climax of Gladiator II.
Therefore, it beng revealed that Maximus has a special shrine was a touching moment inGladiator II. Maximus' shrine was seemingly made in secret, and features his name on a wall surrounded by the armor he wore and the sword he wielded in the first film. Maximus' shrine is very important in the movie, sinceLucius wears Maximus' armor and wields his sword during the climax ofGladiator II. Visiting his father in this way inspired Lucius to fight against the rulers of Rome at theend ofGladiator II.
Why Gladiators Were Buried In A Hidden Location
Maximus Could Not Have Been Buried In A Public Place
In the first film, Maximus was a fearless, rogue gladiator who won over the Roman people and challenged Emperor Commodus. In Ancient Rome, Emperors were always in a dangerous position, since most of them garnered a lot of enemies. Emperor Commodus had no choice but to fight Maximus inGladiator, which ultimately led to his death. While Roman Emperors did tend to compete in the Colosseum, their lives were not usually on the line. Therefore,the events of the firstGladiatormovie likely worried the Emperor who ruled Rome right after Commodus.
Is Maximus Being Lucius' Father A Retcon? How Gladiator Set It Up 24 Years Ago
Gladiator 2 finally reveals that Maximus is Lucius' father, and the original Gladiator movie subtly set up this twist over two decades ago.
Not all gladiators were buried in secret locations. Some of them received normal burials, while others may have received no burials at all. However,the rulers of Rome wouldn’t have wanted Maximus to be buried in a public place, since they likely wanted him erased from history. Having a normal burial site would provide people with a place to visit him and reflect on what he accomplished in the arena. This would have posed even more danger to future Roman Emperors. Therefore, the only way for other gladiators to honor Maximus was to make a secret shrine for him.
Is Gladiator 2’s Hidden Burial Site Under The Colosseum?
Some Gladiators Remain In The Colosseum, Even After Death
While gladiators in Ancient Rome usually lived and trained in gladiator schools, Lucius and the other gladiators inGladiator IIare also seen residing in cells beneath the Colosseum. It is when they are within the Colosseum that Ravi leads Lucius to Maximus' shrine. Therefore, the hidden gladiator burial site is under the Colosseum. While this might not be very realistic, since Maximus' shrine is meant to be secret and someone probably would have discovered it within the Colosseum,it is thematically satisfying that Lucius is near his father when he is fighting in the arena.
The idea that Maximus is still inspiring gladiators, despite the wishes of Roman Emperors, works really well inGladiator II. The relationship between Lucius and Maximus is one of the main connections betweenGladiator IIand the first film, so it was a good idea to have Lucius visit his father’s shrine before entering the arena.
Gladiator II
Cast
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.
