After about 45 days in theaters, Gladiator II has finally hit OTT platforms, but it's not available to everyone. You can rent it on Prime Video for Rs. 389. Directed and produced by Ridley Scott, this film is a sequel to his 2000 classic. The screenplay was crafted by David Scarpa, who teamed up with Peter Craig for the story, with Scott Free Productions behind the scenes and Paramount Pictures handling the release. The cast features Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. Jacobi and Nielsen are back for this sequel, while Mescal steps in for Spencer Treat Clark. He plays Lucius Verus Aurelius, an exiled Roman prince who becomes a gladiator for the former slave Macrinus and hatches a plan to overthrow the twin emperors, Geta and Caracalla.

Plot overview

Ridley Scott is back in the director's chair for Gladiator II, picking up the epic tale of power, betrayal, and revenge in Ancient Rome. After witnessing his uncle murder the iconic Maximus, Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) finds himself pushed into the Colosseum by the ruthless emperors who now dominate Rome. With the future of the Roman Empire at stake, Lucius, fueled by anger, must tap into his past for the strength and honor needed to bring glory back to his people.

Some reviews highlighted the performances, Scott's direction, the set designs, and the action sequences, but others took issue with the film's overly sweet tone, its similarities to the previous installment, and some historical inaccuracies. With global box office earnings of $435.2 million, it didn't quite hit the $700 million mark needed to break even. At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, it received two nominations: Best Supporting Actor for Washington and for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Additionally, the National Board of Review included it in their top 10 films of 2024.

Character highlights

Lucius Verus Aurelius, known as "Hanno," is played by Paul Mescal. He’s the grandson of the late emperor Marcus Aurelius and the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the film's main character. When Lucius was just a kid, his mom, Lucilla, whisked him away from Rome to protect him from assassins after his dad's death. Fast forward nearly fifteen years, and after the Roman army invades his home in Numidia and kills his wife, they capture him and throw him into prison. Sold into slavery, he ends up as a gladiator in the Colosseum, plotting his revenge against the Romans and their general, Acacius. Spencer Alfie Tempest plays a younger version of Lucius, channeling Treat Clark's look from the original film.

Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Acacius, a Roman commander who served under Maximus and is married to Lucilla. He enjoys a luxurious life in Rome but is often away on military campaigns. After leading an army to conquer Numidia and attack Lucius's home, he grows disillusioned with the war and refuses to send more soldiers to their deaths for the emperors. Lucilla and Acacius hatch a plan to overthrow the emperors, but Acacius ends up imprisoned and forced to fight as a gladiator in the Colosseum. Pascal portrays Acacius as a talented general, hinting at his deadly skills, while Lucius sees him as a representation of everything he values.

Denzel Washington takes on the role of Marcus Opellius Macrinus, a former slave with dreams of ruling Rome. He runs a stable of gladiators alongside Lucius and acts as an arms dealer, supplying the Roman armies in Europe with food, oil, and weapons. Scott described Macrinus as extremely ruthless towards the gladiators, while Washington highlighted his ambition to become emperor and his readiness to do whatever it takes to get there. Scott also pointed out that Macrinus, who started as a prisoner of war, became a gladiator and eventually earned his freedom, had a hint of bisexuality in his character.

Joseph Quinn plays Emperor Geta, who is the younger brother of Caracalla and a co-emperor of Rome. Scott described both brothers as inherently flawed, likening them to Romulus and Remus, but noted that Geta seemed to be the more sensible and level-headed one. The adult animation Beavis and Butt-Head on MTV also inspired some aspects of his character. Quinn made sure to steer clear of copying Joaquin Phoenix's take on Commodus, instead drawing inspiration from films like The Fifth Element and Mission: Impossible III, where Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed Owen Davian. Additionally, John Lydon influenced Geta's style.

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