Includes SPOILERS for Gladiator II.
Gladiator 2is the long-awaited sequel to the classic Ridley Scott Ancient Rome epic, andthere are several references and callbacks to the original. The idea of aGladiatorsequel after over two decades may have come as a shock, given the sheer length of time since the original. But Ridley Scott has gotten the band back together, or at least a new iteration ofGladiator’scastthat’s worthy of the 2000 Best Picture winner.
The new film makes a concerted effort to honor the ideas and characters of the original with numerous quotes, easter eggs, and references.The lives of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) have left a profound impact on Romewhen events pick up in the sequel. Their legacies live on and influence characters like Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), paving the way for Lucius (Paul Mescal) to rise up as Rome’s new hero inGladiator 2’sending.
13Gladiator 2’s Opening Credits
Gladiator 2’s Opening Credits Show Events From The Original Movie
Gladiator 2’smost overt reference to the original film is in its opening montage. As the title card and opening credits are introduced,audiences are shown iconic scenes from the original movie in the form of animation. This includes moments like Commodus' thumbs up, the tiger fight, and Maximus' iconic “My name is…” quote.
Gladiator: What Is Macrinus’ Real Name?
Since Marcinus intentionally keeps his real name hidden throughout Gladiator II’s runtime, viewers may be curious about the reason behind this choice.
It’s a pleasant way of rehashing old material without having to play these scenes directly, and it allows for nostalgia to begin flowing as the movie starts. After the credits,Gladiator 2opens with text cards that explain the current state of Rome under emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn). This is reminiscent of the first movie, which opened with a similar exposition.
12"What We Do In Life…"
Maximus' Battle Speech Is Quoted In Gladiator 2
ThroughoutGladiator 2, Lucius becomes friends with a doctor named Ravi (Alexander Karim), who becomes an invaluable ally and loyal supporter. After his first gladiatorial match, Lucius has a wound on his arm that needs to be patched up, and he has a briefdialogue with Ravi, who states the classic line, “What we do in life echoes in eternity.“Lucius mentions that he recognizes the phrase from somewhere.
Maximus delivered this quote in the opening war sequence in the original Gladiator film. As he leads his cavalry into the woods to flank their opponent, he gives a speech to motivate his men. It’s a moment that deserves to be mentioned among thebest battle speeches in movies, demonstrating Maximus as a respected leader among his troops. The line is later immortalized on his shrine in the Colosseum.
11His Name Was Maximus Decimus Meridius
Lucilla Quotes Maximus' Iconic Line
One of the biggest stories revealed inGladiator 2is that Maximus is actually the father of Lucius. In the first movie, it’s implied that Maximus and Lucilla had some past romantic history, but it’s never explored in detail. In aGladiator 2scene whereLucilla comes face to face with her fully grown son for the first time, she states, “His name was Maximus Decimus Meridius,“to explain who his father was.
The line is delivered in a particular way that calls back to the first movie, in theiconic scene where Maximus reveals his face and name to Commodus in the arena. It’s one of many lines that finds its way into theGladiatorsequel in a somewhat awkward manner, but it ultimately works in reminding Lucius of where he comes from.
10Gladiator 2 Reuses Hans Zimmer Musical Queues
Gladiator 2 Has A Different Composer But Uses Music From The Original
For any movie fan who loves epic musical scores,Gladiatoris likely one that works its way into the rotation now and then. The original movie was scored by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, who created iconic tracks like “Now We Are Free.” In the 2024 sequel, composer Harry Gregson-Williams was brought on board to replace them, though his soundtrack is made to feel consistent with the original.
Gladiator 2reuses multiple musical queues from the original movie. Most notably, in the film’s closing sequence,when Lucius returns to the arena to pay his respects to Maximus, “Now We Are Free” is played in the background, tying back to the first film’s ending.
9The Dream That Was Rome
Marcus Aurelius' Influence Is Still Prevalent
Aside from Maximus, the real-life Roman Emperor and character from the first movie, Marcus Aurelius, is mentioned several times in the sequel. Marcus Aurelius was Lucilla’s father, making him Lucius' grandfather. He dies early in the first film, buthis ideals for “the dream that was Rome” survive past him and remain the primary motivation for Lucilla, Acacius, and eventually Lucius.
In the first movie, Marcus Aurelius spoke of the dream, and the phrase was later repeated by Maximus.The dream of Romeis essentially an ideal that the ancient civilization could become a utopia for the world, where all people could be given a fair chance to survive and prosper. It’s counter-intuitive to the version of Rome seen in the movie, ruled by corrupt tyrants.
8Lucius Rubs His Hands In Sand
Lucius Mimicks Maximus' Pre-Fight Ritual
When Lucius enters the Colosseum to fight his gladiatorial games, facing off against a man riding a rhino, he catches Lucilla’s attention by lowering his hands into the sand.He rubs his hands with the dirt and sand of the arena floor, preparing himself for the encounter,mimicking an action he saw from Maximus in the first film.
In doing so, both characters are symbolically connected with their deceased wives
Something Maximus and Lucius share is that they’re both farmers and the gesture of lowering their hands to the sand is about being one with the earth. In doing so, both characters are symbolically connected with their deceased wives, who remain the driving forces of their motivation, pushing them toward revenge.
7Maximus Shrine In The Colosseum
The Gladiators Built A Shrine To Maximus
The story of Maximus Decimus Meridius has lived long after the original character has died, passing into the legends of the arena. Ravi was a gladiator after Maximus' death, and he explains that in his day, the story of Maximus was often told and passed around. The story has faded 15 years later when Lucius returns to Rome, but there’s still a shrine under the Colosseum in Maximus' honor.
The shrine containsMaximus' original set of armor, his gladius sword, and the “What we do in life…” quote. It speaks to the camaraderie among the gladiators instilled by Maximus that his fellow fighters would have left this behind in his name.
6Lucius Wears Maximus' Armor In The Climax
Lucius Gears Up In His Father’s Armor
After discovering Maximus' armor in the shrine and deciding to embrace his destiny after Acacius' death, Lucius puts on Maximus' armorfor his final confrontation. The final Colosseum battle ofGladiator 2sees him attempting to save his mother, who’s declared a traitor by Caracalla and Macrinus. Lucius is meant to face the Praetorian guard in the arena to save her, essentially ensuring both of their deaths.
Lucius tricks Macrinus by freeing his fellow gladiators who have become loyal to him, and they help him win the battle, causing the Colosseum to erupt into chaos. Despite wearing his father’s armor, Macrinus manages to kill Lucilla before fleeing the arena.
5"Strength And Honor”
The Gladiators Chant “Strength And Honor” Before The Climax
AnotherGladiatorquote that finds its way into the sequel on multiple occasions is “Strength and honor.” It’s aphrase that Maximus repeats to his soldiers throughout the original film to remind them of the true virtues of the Roman army, and it’s actually a line that Russell Crowe thought up for the movie.
When wearing Maximus' armor, he leads his men into the final battle and uses “Strength and honor” as his tagline.
The line is repeated by Lucilla, and eventually Lucius, inGladiator 2. When wearing Maximus' armor, he leads his men into the final battle and uses “Strength and honor” as his tagline. The gladiators then chant the phrase in response, hyping them all up for the climactic confrontation.
4Caged Tiger In The Colosseum
A Reminder Of The Original Movie’s Tiger Fight
One of the most brief and easy-to-miss easter eggs inGladiator 2shows a caged tiger beneath the Colosseum just before the final fight. This is a reminder of the tiger fight from the original movie, whereMaximus was forced to fight around multiple tigers held down by chains, eventually even killing one.
Gladiator 2has some intense animal fights to match the tiger in the original. The first arena match sees Lucius and his companions face off against some terrifying rabid monkeys. Later, in the Colosseum, they have to fight a rhino, and then the naval battle involves sharks swimming around beneath the opposing boats.
