24 years after the original Gladiator film, Ridley Scott is bringing Rome to its knees once again in a legacy sequel of epic proportions in Gladiator 2 with a new cast led by Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. The project came as a surprise to many when it was first announced, but if there’s one thing everyone should know by now, it’s to never doubt Scott when he has new ideas. And, judging by the first wave of Gladiator 2 critical reviews, the iconic filmmaker was successful once again.
In many ways, Gladiator 2 bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor. This is clear from the trailers and synopsis alone, with a story of revenge, passion and corruption underpinning the film. But going deeper into the new film and the Gladiator characters, of course Scott intentionally presented his audience with a fascinating yin and yang scenario through Russell Crowe’s Maximus and its sequel counterpart.Marcus Acácio de Pascal. The two are eerily similar in many ways, but they are separated by some crucial differences.
How Acacius is similar to Maximus in Gladiator 2
Pedro Pascal’s character has a lot in common with Russell Crowe’s hero
The most obvious comparison between Máximo and Acácio is that they both wield great power in their roles as Roman generals. Both are highly respected and revered for their ability to command and go into battle and have built great reputations as leaders of men and ruthless killers when the time calls for it. This is not surprising, given that Marcus Acacius trained and served under Maximus before the events of this second film. Acácio followed in his mentor’s footsteps and built a career as a decorated general, but that’s not the only similarity they share.
The first Gladiator the film explores Maximus’s grief after the murder of his beloved wife and son, but also offers hints about the hidden feelings shared between Russell Crowe’s protagonist and Marcus Aurelius’ daughter Lucilla. The two became romantically involved when they were much younger, but went their separate ways and married other people. However, their love for each other obviously remained, even if they both couldn’t admit it.
In Gladiator 2Lucilla, having been widowed, now maintains a romantic relationship with Acácio and, at least at first, is very much in love with the impressive general. It’s a fascinating dynamic, given that we know how close Acácio worked alongside Máximoand it is yet another common interest that the two characters share. However, when her son, Lucius, returns to Rome filled with anger and a desire to exact revenge on Acacius, Lucilla’s commitment to her new love interest will naturally come under great strain.
Acacius’ similarities to Maximus emphasize their dark differences
Acacius is everything Maximus fought against
However Máximo and Acácio may appear similar on the surfacethey are actually very different at their core. Maximus was a stoic but sincere man whose entire journey was dictated by his strong set of principles and morals. He was extremely loyal to his men and his superiors, but ultimately he was a very virtuous person who always stood up for what he considered right. As far as we know, the same cannot be said of Acácio.
Acacius led his men to Africa and ordered the brutal murder of innocent women and children. That was technically his job, but one would imagine that wasn’t something Maximus would allow to happen on his watch. Acácio is a man much more inclined to do what is necessary than what is right, regardless of the cost. Although Máximo was not afraid of bleeding his hands, he always did so in search of justice, while for Acácio it is more of a means to an end for his own ambitions.
Ultimately, Maximus fell victim to the will of a power-mad emperorforced to fight the system he was shaped by. Acácio, on the other hand, seems to be the one driving this savagery Gladiator 2embracing the chaos and cruel nature of the Roman Empire.