Gladiator 2is the direct sequel to Ridley Scott’s historical epicGladiator, which followed Russell Crowe’s protagonist Maximus as he vowed revenge against the Roman Empire for the unjust murder of his family. TheGladiatorsequel maintains several of the same themes, including vengeance, legacy, and democracy, but this story follows Maximus’ son Lucius instead. However, that wasn’t always the plan -the original concept forGladiator 2was very differentbut was ultimately replaced by a story that Scott considered more fitting.
Prior toGladiator 2’s release, there had been much talk about whether Russell Crowe would joinGladiator 2’s castas Maximus Decimus Meridius.The idea of continuing this franchise withoutGladiator’s original protagonist seemed impossible at first,but Ridley Scott’s vision for the sequel’s story ultimately fell into place. Although some may be disappointed that the Academy Award-winner didn’t return for the sequel,there’s a reason that Russell Crowe isn’t inGladiator 2, and it fixes many of the problems that would have arisen from the actor’s needless return.
Ridley Scott’s Original Plan For Russell Crowe’s Return As Maximus In Gladiator 2 Explained
The Director Almost Brought Maximus Back From The Afterlife
The original plan forGladiator 2did indeed envision Russell Crowe returning as his iconic character Maximus, but it was far beyond the reach of any viewer’s imagination.The prospective script was reportedly written by musician Nick Cave, and would have brought Maximus back from the dead and sent him traveling through time and visiting several different historical eras. Ridley Scott mentioned the idea on theReelBlend Podcast, explaining that “Nick Cave wrote the script, but I had the idea.”
Why Lucius Stays In Rome In Gladiator 2’s Ending Thoughtfully Explained By Producer: “A Lot Of Pieces Of The Puzzle”
Lucius' decision to stay in Rome at the end of Gladiator II and what this means for his character’s journey is explained by producer Douglas Wick.
The director continued, detailing his plan for “scene one” of the prospective sequel: “What I wanted to do is start the film in Styx, on the edge of the ocean, and you see him, this warrior, wandering in armor. Then, it’s Maximus wandering, looking for where he’s going to go next.”The decision to bring Maximus back from the dead would have undoubtedly been very controversial, and the inclusion of time travel in the story would have marked an enormous tonal shift from the original, more grounded story.
How Maximus “Returns” Through Lucius In Gladiator 2 (& Saves His Life)
The Character Doesn’t Come Back, But His Spirit Is Present
There are severalreferences to Maximus’ character inGladiator 2,but the fabled warrior doesn’t actually return in the sequel. He remains dead, completely eschewing Ridley Scott’s original idea to bring him back from the afterlife. However,Gladiator 2is still very closely connected to the original, and Russell Crowe’s character plays an enormous role despite his absence.Maximus essentially “returns”in the sequel through his son Lucius, who’s dragged back to Rome after being captured by the Roman forces in Africa.
Lucius wears his father’s armor in the fight against Macrinus.
There’s also a metaphorical “return” of Maximus in the final moments ofGladiator 2, as Lucius wears his father’s armor in the fight against Macrinus and essentially channels his spirit to protect him.Lucius is fighting for a fairer, more democratic future for Rome, which is exactly what Maximus died to protect, and his decision to wear his father’s armor in these final moments ensures that some part of Maximus is there with him.
Why Gladiator 2 Made The Right Choice By Not Directly Bringing Back Maximus
The Original Idea Would Have Been Too Far-Fetched
In the end, Ridley Scott found the perfect way of paying homage to the originalGladiatorand honoring Maximus’ character without needlessly bringing him back for nostalgia’s sake.The decision to focus on Lucius instead of Maximus was an intelligent one; reversingthe character’s death at the end ofGladiatorwould have undone the conclusion of the original film’s emotional impact, which is a hugely important moment that represents the importance of fighting for what you believe in.
Gladiator 2: All 7 Original Movie Character Replacements
Gladiator II is an entertaining follow-up to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, and several major players feel like echoes of characters from the original.
Although Nick Cave’s original script forGladiator 2sounds fascinating, it’s hard to imagine that such a wild idea could have paid off in reality. It would have been a complete switch-up from the original story, ditching the grounded storytelling that madeGladiatorsuch a classic in exchange for an ambitious, supernatural adventure through time and space. Lucius’ story is much more engaging and interesting than anything that could’ve been stirred up by Maximus’ return, and it ensures that the sequel remains in the same genre and general style as the original.
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.
