Gladiator 2 takes significant creative liberties with historical accuracy, particularly in its ending. The film's plot diverges from real events, with Lucius fulfilling a dream for Rome and altering the course of history.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Gladiator II. Gladiator II takes much creative liberty with the depiction of the later ancient Roman Empire, but its confirmed sequel is set up to veer ever further away from the course of history.
Ridley Scott's Best Picture winner Gladiator is by no means strictly historically accurate; while Scott is known for his expansive, textured world-building in the context of historical epics, he firmly decided that he was willing to change certain events for the sake of his story. Perhaps the biggest example in the first movie is the public death of Joaquin Phoenix's Emperor Commodus, in contradiction with the historical figure's assassination. The story of Paul Mescal's Hanno/Lucius is structured the same way as Russel Crowe's Maximus' narrative, with the goal of crafting a movie of incredible scale about'strength and honor.' Gladiator II sees Lucius, having left Rome and his mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) as a child, is brought back into the heart of the empire as an enslaved gladiator, out for revenge against the Roman general Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Lucius finds that destiny is inescapable, and he must aid in freeing Rome from tyranny, which leads directly into how Gladiator II's ending is the biggest derivation from history yet. Gladiator 2's Ending Has Lucius Fulfill The Dream Of Rome & Change History Lucius Changes Ancient Roman History By Ending Macrinus' Regime Early Lucius and Lucilla are both among the historical characters in Gladiator II, although Lucilla was killed on her brother's orders as a young woman while Lucius died as a child, both before the ages they are in this movie. How Emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) came into power is not described in Gladiator II; in real history, they inherited the throne from their father, who was the last in a succession of several emperors within a year after Commodus' deat
GLADIATOR 2 MOVIE HISTORY ROMAN EMPIRE HISTORICAL FICTION ENDINGS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Do You Have To Watch Gladiator Before Seeing Gladiator 2?A new trailer is out for “Gladiator 2” that reveals Paul Mescal’s character’s special connection to Russell Crowe’s Maximus from the first film. The film hits theaters November 22.
Read more »
How Gladiator 2 Sets Up Gladiator 3 & What Ridley Scott Has Said About Making ItPaul Mescal as Lucius with a purple sky behind him in the Colosseum in Gladiator 2
Read more »
Gladiator 2: All 13 References To Maximus & Gladiator Callbacks ExplainedCharles is a full-time features writer who covers movies and television, with expertise in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and Dune.
Read more »
Gladiator 2's Rhino & Baboons In The Arena Gets Fact-Checked By HistorianA gladiator riding a rhino in Gladiator II
Read more »
10 Ways Gladiator 2 Openly Repeats Gladiator 1Charles is a full-time features writer who covers movies and television, with expertise in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and Dune.
Read more »
Connie Nielsen Reveals How Working With Ridley Scott Has Changed Between 'Gladiator' and 'Gladiator 2'Tamera Jones is a writer and editor for Collider who specializes in big blockbusters, horror movies, popular IP franchises, action, and tons more.
Read more »