Summary New images and details of Paul Mescal's character in Gladiator 2, Lucius Verus, have been released, and they give a hint at the upcoming epic's plot. Gladiator 2 is the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott's historical epic Gladiator. The original movie starred Russel Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a former Roman general who was forced to fight to the death in the Colosseum.
Lucius' Role In The First Gladiator Movie In the original Gladiator, Lucius was the co-emperor of Rome alongside the film's main antagonist, Commodus. Though he held a position of immense power, Lucius was still just a child, which effectively made Commodus the sole emperor of Rome. His young age actually prevented Lucius from taking a very active role in Gladiator at all. Lucius' biggest effect on the movie's plot was in how he influenced other people.
Related How Ridley Scott Discovered Under-The-Radar Actor For Gladiator 2: "Who The Hell Is This Paul Mescal?" Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott reveals how he discovered the under-the-radar actor Paul Mescal, who will lead the epic movie as Lucius Verus. Lucius' Story In Gladiator 2 Close Gladiator 2 will pick up years after the original, once Lucius has become an adult and established a family in Numidia. Troops from the Roman Empire, led by Pedro Pascal's Marcus Acacius, then come to Numidia's shores to conquer it. Eventually, Lucius is taken prisoner by Acacius' troops and brought back to Rome as a prisoner, where he'll be forced to fight as a gladiator.
Is Lucius The Son Of Russell Crowe's Maximus? Close In the original Gladiator, the true parentage of Lucius wasn't made completely certain. He was said to be the child of Lucilla and Lucius Verus I, the former Emperor of Rome. However, Maximus and Lucilla had a romantic past, and Lucius seemed to view Maximus as a type of father figure in Lucius I's absence.