Summary
The recently released trailer for Ridley Scott’sGladiator 2features countless potential twists and characters, including a new emperor duo. TheGladiator 2trailer now ranks among Paramount’s most-viewed trailers. The decision to reveal the new pallid-looking duo is more than its shock value. Its background teases a continuation of thethemes and timelines explored in the firstGladiatormovie.
Viewers will remember Commodus fromGladiator, played to his full sinister potential by Joaquin Phoenix. There is no historical evidence that he killed his father, Marcus Aurelius, but thisruthless betrayal is part of the narrative drive. The historical background of the two emperors in the sequel foreshadows a dark,heavy replacement for Phoenix inGladiator 2.
Joseph Quinn’s Gladiator 2 Role Reverses His Career Trend & I’m So Here For It
Joseph Quinn is playing a pivotal character in the upcoming Gladiator sequel, and the role couldn’t be more different than his past projects.
Emperors Geta & Caracalla’s Real History Sets Up A Major Gladiator 2 Twist
Their joint reign didn’t end well, providing the tragic heft the franchise is adored for.
There’s a wonderful symmetry about the secondGladiatorhaving two emperors, but it’s not merely a stylistic choice; it’s based on real history. Thetrue story of the emperors behindGladiator 2is the lives and rules of Caracalla and Geta in Ancient Rome. The franchise isn’t known for its historical accuracy, andhistorians have weighed in on theGladiator 2trailer, butthe real-life stories of the fraternal rulers hint at a major twist in the upcoming movie. Their joint reign didn’t end well, providing the tragic heft the franchise is adored for.
Emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) began their co-rule in the year 209. The brothers were constantly butting heads, and, at one point, even considered dividing their empire in half to make things less hostile, but their mother persuaded them against it. This would end in tragedy in 211 when, during a supposed reconciliation meeting no less,members of the Praetorian Guard, sworn to Caracalla, assassinated Geta. He died in his mother’s arms. Like many moments in Roman history, this could be a dramatic scene. Given their longstanding rivalry, most historians believe Caracalla orchestrated the killing.
Why Emperor Caracalla’s Betrayal Would Make Sense For Gladiator 2
There is a tragic element to Commodus’ shortcomings, adding emotional depth rather than a cartoonish villainy.
Not only would the historical background of the two emperors inGladiator 2follow real-life history, butit would alsofollow the theme of familial betrayal. This is shown through Commodus killing his own father in the originalGladiator. 24 years ago, Joaquin Phoenix gave a formidable performance as the villain, with much of his dialogue reflecting his duplicity. One example is when he speaks to his father, Aurelius about not living up to his expectations:
“You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues: Wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness, courage, perhaps not on the battlefield, but… there are many forms of courage. Devotion, to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn’t want me for your son.”
There is a tragic element to Commodus’ shortcomings, adding emotional depth rather than a cartoonish villainy.His ironic lack of devotion to his family through his actions also provides a sharp contrast to Maximus, who, in devotion to his family’s memory, declares himself“father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife.”The brilliant storytelling of Scott’s 2000 epic means the sequel has a lot of emotional weight to live up to. If the theme of family being continued is anything to go by, the familial betrayal inGladiator 2will rival the complex, intimate treachery of Commodus.
Gladiator II
Cast
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 Joseph Quinn 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.
