Ridley Scott Gladiator 2 is missing a vital member of the cast that made the first film a tremendous success. Djimon Hounsou’s character Juba played a key role in the first film, and reports last year speculated that he would return. Unfortunately, it’s already been confirmed that Hounsou won’t be in the sequel after all. It looks like Juba will be among a collection of characters Gladiator 2 I won’t bring it back.
In the first film, Russell Crowe’s character Maximus is kidnapped in his sleep and sold as a gladiator. Maximus (Crowe) meets Juba (Hounsou), who tends to his wounds. Loyalty between the brothers in arms grows throughout the film. At the end of GladiatorMaximus dies from Commodus’ (Joaquin Phoenix) injuries, and Juba speaks the film’s final lines. It’s unclear exactly how Juba would have played a role in the film, but there was probably a way for him to fit into the bigger picture.
Djimon Hounsou was originally supposed to return as Juba in Gladiator
It is not known what Juba’s role would have been.
Last year, during a BroBible podcast, it was revealed that Hounsou would return as the character. Unfortunately, for unclear reasons, the return of one of the many great characters from the first Gladiator It’s not on the table. For Hounsou, his comments likely mean there was a plan for his character in the sequel. As for what that plan was, the details remain unclear.
“Honestly, no. And this was pure accident in the way it unfolded. I would have been a part of it.”
Juba is a significant character in Maximus’ journey because he reinvigorates Maximus’ spirit when he is at his lowest point. As Maximus’ life cause (his soldiers and his family) was eliminated, Juba renewed his focus. Juba’s motivation to reunite with his family was a catalyst for Maximus. Juba kept Maximus’ attention on staying alive. He stated in one scene that Maximus would see them again, but that his time had not yet come.
Scheduling conflicts may have prevented Djimon Hounsou from returning for Gladiator 2
This being the case, it indicates that the sequel’s story would involve Juba
When explaining why he would not appear on the Gladiator sequel, Hounsou said that “circumstances dictated it.“When talking about his absence, his busy schedule around the same time seems to be the most likely reason why he could not be part of the sequel. If that is the case, Hounsou would not be able to participate in the filming for Gladiator 2, which took place between June 2023 and ended in January 2024. It appears that after Rebel Moonparts one and two (filmed consecutively until the end of 2022), Hounsou was unable to find time to Gladiator 2.
Djimon Hounsou has several projects coming out in 2025 that may have led to this scheduling conflict. This includes Alex Parkinson’s survival thriller remake of a 2019 documentary called Last breath. Another project that could have contributed is a sci-fi thriller called Below the storm. The Zealot is another project in which Hounsou plays a Somali-American airport shuttle driver, although that likely didn’t contribute since filming only began this year.
How Djimon Hounsou’s Mane Could Have Been Considered in Gladiator 2
It could have a significant impact in a limited scope
In the final scene of Gladiator, Juba fulfills Máximo’s final request. He buries two small statuettes of Maximus’s wife and son in the area where he died, in the Colosseum. He has a smile on his face, knowing that he is now a free man due to Máximo’s sacrifice. It is predicted that Juba will reunite with his wife and son from his homeland. From what we know of the history of Juba and the history of Gladiator 2it seems likely that Juba would have played a specific role in the sequel.
“I’ll see you again, but not yet. Not yet.” Juba’s final line in Gladiator
In Gladiator 2Paul Mescal plays an adult Lucius about two decades in the future. He becomes a gladiator after his family is killed in a story that echoes Maximus’ arc. Juba would likely have been a mentor figure to Lucius as he entered the world of gladiators, trying to emulate the greatness that was Maximus. It would make sense for Juba to help Lucius if he sought his help. However, as significant as Juba’s character is, it seems right that he doesn’t get involved and lives happily with his family for the rest of his life.
With some exceptions, Gladiator 2 features new cast and characters unrelated to the first film. The exceptions in this regard are Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus. Djimon Hounson not being able to return for the sequel is disappointing. The character Juba is an incredibly loyal and loving friend of Maximus who offers some reflections on his experiences. It would have been interesting to see him as a mentor to Lucius, but the way his story ended in the first film is still very satisfying and moving.
Source: BroBible