Ridley Scott's recent film Gladiator 2 is finally out at the theatres and has raised quite some eyebrows owing to the portrayal of an action-packed period drama. The first film, Gladiator, was released in 2000 and was a box-office hit starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix and getting Oscar nominations for their roles.
However, Gladiator 2 also brings in a star-studded cast as brewing talents like Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Paul Mescal join the team. So, if you are looking for a quick recap before watching the 2024 sequel, now is the best time!
Gladiator follows a straightforward revenge narrative where the corrupt new Emperor, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix), is seen demoting Roman General, Maximus Decimus Meridus (played by Russell Crowe).
What do we need to recall from Gladiator before watching its sequel?
The first film is set in 180 A.D. where Maximus (Russell Crowe) emerges victorious after a long battle. Over the years, he has earned his position in the kingdom as a respectable and successful general.
Contented with this, emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) informs Maximus in an intimate conversation that he plans to place him as the heir to the throne, leaving the duty of ruling the Roman Republic in his hands. But things go sideways when Maximus' son Commodus (who was earlier declared unfit to rule) murders his father, the king, and captures Maximus who refuses to swear his loyalty to Commodus.
In the course of events, Maximus' son and wife get killed, leaving him in grief and vengeance brewing inside. With the help of Proximo (Oliver Reed), the infamous gladiator trainer, he starts his journey as a fighter and soon becomes a popular warrior among the spectators.
In the final face-off, Maximus appears in the Colosseum before King Commodus, who does not recognize him initially to fight the undefeated gladiator, Tigris of Gaul. Maximus wins the fight and earns the title, Maximus the Merciful, for sparing Tigris' life.
Eventually, he teams up with some of his loyal former legions and Commodus' sister to overthrow the oppressive ruler. But things do not go as planned and the emperor finds out their plot, leaving everyone's life in danger.
The showdown takes place as Maximus is challenged by Commodus in a duel, to win public approval. Despite all his plots to weaken Maximus before the fight, Commodus loses. Maximus eventually succumbs to his injuries, even though he wins the duel.
How is the story connected to Gladiator 2?
Even though Gladiator 2 explores events almost sixteen years after the events that took place in Gladiator (2000), the two films are linked in certain ways. The protagonist Lucius (Paul Mescal) of the 2024 sequel is the son of Lucilla, daughter of former Roman emperor Aurelius.
It is eventually revealed that Maxmis is Lucius' father. Though this was only hinted at in the first movie (where we see Maximus and Lucilla developing a relationship), it was not confirmed until fans saw the trailer for Gladiator 2.
This is the most evident bridge between the two stories and also, we get to see certain flashbacks to the times when Maximus was on a mission to stabilize the Roman Republic.
In one of the reprising roles, Connie Nielson returns as Lucilla. Derek Jacobi has also been retained in the cast, but this time as Senator Gracchus. Though Maximus' dying wish was to reform the Roman Republic, we do not see it much implemented as the kingdom is now ruled by Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn), corrupt twin rulers.
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Also read: Why is the historical action film Gladiator 2 R-rated?
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