Summary
- Maximus’ absence in Gladiator 2 could actually benefit the film by allowing it to stand on its own and not rely on legacy characters.
- Bringing back Maximus in any way would be detrimental to Gladiator 2’s serious and grounded tone.
- The focus of Gladiator 2 should be on the new characters and story, not on reintroducing classic characters from the original film.
Gladiator 2 has a major Maximus problem, but the return of one actor has just been debunked, making this issue a lot better. Gladiator 2 will bring the world of the Gladiator franchise back to the big screen, although there is one notable missing element: Maximus. While this initially seemed like a problem, this could actually work for the film, as another bit of Gladiator 2 news has eased the fears of some fans.
Over two decades after the release of the critically acclaimed film Gladiator, Ridley Scott is returning to direct Gladiator 2, continuing the story of the beloved film. Very few details about the story of Gladiator 2 are known, with much of the film being kept tightly under wraps. However, it is known that Russell Crowe’s Maximus won’t be returning in Gladiator 2, with this signaling a big change for the sequel.
Gladiator Ending Explained – Maximus’ Death, How It Sets Up Gladiator 2
Gladiator is often credited with revitalizing the historical epic genre in film, but its complex characters and plot leave some important questions.
Djimon Hounsou Not Returning For Gladiator 2 Means Not Bringing Maximus Back Is Easier
Djimon Hounsou will not be returning in Gladiator 2, confirming that another legacy character will not have his story continued in the upcoming sequel. In the original film, Hounsou played Juba, one of the men who befriended Maximus after he was sold into slavery. Unlike Maximus, Juba did not die at the end of the original Gladiator, with many fans having hope that he would return in the sequel.
Although it is sad, Hounsou not returning means that not bringing Maximus back for Gladiator 2 is easier. If Juba were to return, then there would be even more hype for Russell Crowe’s Maximus to make an appearance, something that could hurt the film. Not having Juba or Maximus return will ease expectations, with the decision to not feature legacy characters causing Gladiator 2 to stand on its own.
Why Bringing Back Maximus (In Any Way) Would Be Bad For Gladiator 2
Although it is possible to bring Maximus back in Gladiator 2, doing so in any way would be bad for the film. Exploring Maximus’ time in the Roman afterlife would be way too silly for Gladiator 2, which is fairly grounded despite its religious themes. Having Russell Crowe appear in a dream sequence or a flashback would also be a bad idea, as it would seem like a moment of fan service in a film that should be incredibly serious.
Gladiator 2’s Story Confirms Lucius Really Is Copying Russell Crowe’s Maximus
A recent update on Gladiator 2 reveals that Lucius’ story will be just like Maximus’ in the first Gladiator film, which is a big risk for the sequel.
Gladiator 2 will be focusing on mostly new characters and a new story, and bringing back Maximus and the rest of Gladiator‘s cast would just take away from that. Gladiator 2 should be a time for Ridley Scott’s new characters to be in the spotlight, not classic characters that already had fully fleshed-out arcs decades ago. The prospect of Gladiator 2 is exciting, and the lack of legacy characters makes it even more so.
Gladiator 2
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Barry Keoghan as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Writers
- David Scarpa
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
