Lucius being the son of Maximus in Gladiator 2 It may have come as a shock to some, but the original film laid the foundation 24 years ago. Paul Mescal leads Gladiator 2 cast as Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) from the first film. The audience catches up with Lucius fifteen years after Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) death in the Colosseum, and a flashback scene shows that he was forced to flee the city as being the heir to the throne would make him a target. Now, he is living in Numidia with his wife, running a farm.
Unfortunately for Lúcio, Rome will not leave him alone, as a naval force led by General Acácio (Pedro Pascal) invades Numidia, killing his wife and taking him captive. As a gladiator, Lucius returns to Rome, and Lucilla soon discovers that her long-lost son is alive. Although she understands that he is furious with her for sending him away, she tries to reason with him, telling him that Maximus was his real father. This guides Lúcio on the right path, building towards Gladiator 2 climactic ending.
Gladiator never revealed that Maximus was Lucius’ father
Gladiator never specifically clarified this detail
The original Gladiator the film never revealed that Maximus was Lucius’ father. The two seem to share some connection, and Lúcio shows great admiration for Máximo as a gladiator in the arena, but it is not clear that they share any blood relationship.. This is a detail added to the new film, contributing to Gladiator 2 numerous references to the original and allowing narrative parallels between father and son. It’s fun to see Lucius fulfill the legacy his father left behind, and the twist contributes to the idea that his potential as a leader has always been within him.
Maximus represents the idealistic Roman dream, and Lucius’ arc in the film is about finding a way to live up to that standard.
Legacy is a crucial component of Gladiator 2which differentiates people like Maximus and Marcus Aurelius from Romans like Commodus and the new twin emperors. Maximus represents the idealistic Roman dream, and Lucius’ arc in the film is about finding a way to live up to that standard. Being the son of Máximo and Lucilla also makes him the grandson of Marcus Aurelius, so the lineage is vital to his story, creating a destiny for him to fulfill.
Clues in Gladiator that Maximus was Lúcio’s father
Maximus and Lucilla had a steamy romantic history
Gladiator may not have officially declared that Lucius was the son of Maximus, but there are definitely signs. It is clear that Maximus and Lucilla shared some kind of romantic past, which contributes to Commodus’ jealousy of him. Maximus also develops a relationship with young Lucius, which doesn’t seem specifically paternal but is still tender in an important way. Lastly, Maximus states: “Lúcio is safe” to Lucilla as he is dyingwhich seems pretty crucial in retrospect. He may not have saved his family, but some of his final thoughts were about saving Lucius.
Ridley Scott has long planned to reveal that Maximus is Lucius’ father
Ridley Scott considered this twist in the early 2000s
Given that it has been more than two decades since the original film, Gladiator 2 went through many potential story iterations before finally arriving at the film audiences saw. There was a Gladiator 2 script written by Nick Cave, which would involve Maximus being resurrected by the gods. In 2006, Ridley Scott discussed ideas that had been circulating between him and Russell Crowe since 2003. At the time, he didn’t think the film would take off, but he had this to say: “Therefore, it would be the son that Máximo probably left behind with his affair with Lucilla.”
The idea that goes back so far is significant, as it shows that Lucius being Maximus’ son was always something they considered. The fact that the original film alluded to Maximus and Lucilla having some past romance is important to Commodus’ love triangle-like jealousy, but the fact that it was a past event seems to suggest a more tumultuous history between them, with secrets potentially controversial. In the original film, it’s possible that Maximus doesn’t even know that Lucius is his son.
How Maximus being Lucius’ father changes the original film
Maximus’ goals change if he is trying to save Lucius
If Maximus learns that Lucius is his son, it will change the purpose of his arc in the original film. Gladiator is a story about Maximus discovering a new purpose in his life after his family is murdered: rising through the ranks as a gladiator, attracting the attention of the Roman public, and overthrowing the emperor in revenge. From him purpose is further framed by the quote, “A father to a murdered son.” The statement isn’t false by any means, but it’s a little less impactful if he was also fighting to protect his other son, who would become emperor after Commodus’ death.
Maximus and Lucilla’s first scene in Gladiator also deserves some reexamination with added context. Maximus suggests that he mourned the loss of her husband, the first Lucius Verus, and asks about her son. Lucilla claims her son is about 8 years old, and he says the same about his. This would mean that Lucilla conceived Lucius with Maximus in Rome, and then Maximus left shortly after to go to his wife and have their child with her. Something may have happened right after their affair that caused him to leaveor perhaps he felt ashamed for having had the affair in the first place.
Maximus being Lucius’ father is more important to Gladiator 2 than Gladiator
Gladiator 2 mirrors the original film with Lucius
Ultimately, Gladiator and Gladiator. The original film can still be whatever people want it to be, and the sequel shouldn’t ruin their fun. There isn’t enough information about Maximus and Lucilla to suggest he knew, so it shouldn’t suggest that his motivations for the first film are any different than they always have been. What matters is that Lúcio is the son of Máximo in Gladiator 2how it is creates an important narrative parallel that shows how significant Maximus’ brief moment of fame was for the Roman people.
Instead of Lucius being just another Roman, he has specific and significant shoes to fill. both on his father’s side and on his mother’s side. He is the living embodiment of the dream of Rome that Marcus Aurelius had and has the strength of Maximus to make it come true. Having such a strong connection to the first film ultimately beautifies Gladiator 2and it allows Paul Mescal’s Lucius to properly carry the torch after Russell Crowe established the franchise 24 years ago.