Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Gladiator II.
Gladiator II Director Ridley Scott and his creative team explain their thoughts on Macrinus’ (Denzel Washington) backstory and motivations. As a former slave and gladiator, Macrinus is now a power broker and arms dealer who became one of the most influential characters in Ancient Rome. From Lucius Verus Aurelius (Paul Mescal) to Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), Macrinus intends to manipulate everyone Gladiator IIcharacters to satisfy your ambition to rule Rome.
When speaking with Variety, Scott discussed how Macrinus was a prisoner of war until “he earned his place as a good gladiator” and secured his freedom through “get a job supplying Rome’s armies.” Cinematographer John Mathieson explained how Macrinus’ visual aesthetic and personality are tied to this backstory. Production designer Arthur Max elaborated on this by emphasizing two animal motifs used to symbolize Macrinus’ character. Check out Mathieson, Max and Scott’s comments below:
John Mathieson: He has a remarkable appearance. He’s very flashy and flamboyant and dressed up, and he’s obviously not from Rome, but he did very well. He is deeply mischievous, treacherous, and you feel it. He is incredibly polite and kind, even to those who owe him money.
Arthur Max: He comes from the polytheistic pagan world of ancient Rome, of which he is a part, they adopted gods from the animal world. We decided to give you two reasons and distribute them throughout your universe; one was the wolf and the other was the snake.
Ridley Scott: The throne is ultimately becoming very practical. His plan might have been, “I’m going to wait until one of the twins dies, I can’t do anything else because then it would be too obvious,” but then things started to present themselves to him as a possibility.
What this means for Gladiator II
Macrinus is the best part of the sequence
Scott and his creative team highlight Macrinus’ intelligent, ambitious and adaptable nature. Washington’s wild performance as Macrinus is without a doubt the best part of Gladiator II and it’s the most significant way in which the sequel distinguishes itself from its predecessor. From Lucius being similar to Maximus Decimius Meridius (Russell Crowe) to Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla being similar to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), there are close parallels between most of the Gladiator IIcharacters and between the plots of both films.
Although Macrinus initially appears reminiscent of GladiatorFor Antonius Proximo (Oliver Reed), the parallels don’t last long, as Macrinus ends up becoming the main villain of the sequence. Macrinus’s desire to rule Rome and his ability to adapt seamlessly are based on his past as a former slave and gladiator. Regardless of how high he rose in Roman society, Macrinus never forgets his pastand remains determined to destroy the Roman system.
Our take on Macrinus’ story and motivations
They elevate the entire film
Gladiator II is at its best when it focuses on Macrinus and his conniving machinations. His character helps elevate the sequel beyond its action spectacle, as Macrinus deftly manipulates Emperor Geta, Emperor Caracalla, and Rome’s entire political system. In Gladiator IILucius’ ending, Macrinus’s intrigues and his willingness to be part of the fight, including when he kills Lucius’ mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), makes him a satisfying final villain for Lucius to defeat. The development and culmination of Macrinus’ story would not have worked as well without its essential Gladiator II backstory.
Source: Variety