'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Gladiator II was finally released in cinemas on November 15, 2024, in other regions, and on November 22, 2024, in the United States of America. Starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, the film follows the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, as he makes a return to his birth home and tries to realize his father's Dream of Rome.
In the original Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius was played by Russell Crowe. He is the husband to a murdered wife and father to a murdered son. He dreamt of a Rome free from its cunning emperors and politics and he was very much hellbent on getting revenge as well on those who betrayed him.
However, while those around Maximus may have been real in the film (characters such as Commodus and Lucilla), the main protagonist of the story, himself, was fictional. No one called Maximus actually existed in real life, rather he was a character inspired by other Roman generals and presented in Ridley Scott's historical epic.
Trending
Maximus is inspired by many real-life historical figures in Gladiator
As previously mentioned, Maximus isn't a real person. Rather, he was inspired by many real-life historical figures whose stories were told through the struggles of Russell Crowe's performance. Maximus was heavily influenced by figures like general Marcus Macrinus, Avidius Cassius, Narcissus, Spartacus, and more. They helped inform his journey in the film.
One of the biggest influences on Maximus in the film was Marcus Macrinus. Maximus, himself, was a general and advisor to Marcus Aurelius in the film, and the same way Macrinus was a general and a statesman too during the reign of the prior-mentioned emperor. General Avidius Cassius was another huge influence on Maximus too who served under the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
Wrestler Narcissus was a major influence on Maximus too. As a matter of fact, Maximus was originally even going to be named Narcissus in the film. In reality, Narcissus was a wrestler who was responsible for killing Commodus as well. However, we of course can't forget Spartacus as he was the biggest inspiration for Maximus and his journey in the movie.
Both Maximus and Spartacus were enslaved men who were forced to fight as Gladiators, and their stories also saw them fight back against oppressive empires. In general, the story of Maximus was inspired by many real-life figures, however, he himself didn't exist as a person.
Is Maximus in Gladiator II?
No, Maximus isn't in Gladiator II as he dies at the end of the first film. However, his son, Lucius, leads the story of the second film. After the events of the first movie and following Maximus' death, Lucilla sends Lucius away to protect him. Years pass, and he then finds himself in Numidia leading a normal life with a wife, and has changed his name to Hano.
However, when Numidia is attacked by Roman forces, his wife is killed in the attack and he is taken as a prisoner. He is then brought back to the land where he was born as a slave and is thrust into the gladiator fights just like his father was. The film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pescal, Connie Nelson, Fred Heschinger, Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington, and more.
Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator II is playing in cinemas right now everywhere.
