Gladiator 2the sequel to Ridley Scott’s cult film is taking shape
At age 85, Ridley Scott continues to tour with the enthusiasm of youth. After release in 2021 The last duel AND Gucci Housewill present his on November 22nd Napoleona major historical film about the first French emperor with Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, and the release of Gladiator 2 is expected a year later, on the day November 22, 2024. This sequel, long considered impossible, given the enormous difficulty of writing a sequel to his formidable epic Gladiator published in 2000, it has become a reality and what we know about it is mouth-watering.
Paolo Mescal (Normal people, After sun) in the main role – that of Lucius, son of Lucilla -, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou and Derek Jacobi reprising their roles, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington are also in the cast… The story will be that of Lucius, twenty years old after the events of the first film. Having become an adult, he will find himself immersed in a corrupt Rome where a fratricidal war is taking place between the two co-emperors Geta and Caracalla, played respectively by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn. But who is Lucio? Or rather, who he is Truly ?
Lucius, son of Maximus?
After the release of Gladiator in 2000 and its immense success, there was immediate talk of giving it a sequel. But with the death of protagonist Maximus (Russell Crowe) and the death of antagonist Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) as well, continuity was difficult to find. The idea of investing has been around for a long time the fantasy genreresurrecting the character of Maximus in a film that would have seen him become an envoy of the Roman gods to fight against the emergence of Christianity, with Nick Cave writing this script. Another idea which has always been lively, and more realistic, to focus on the character of Lucius and create intrigue around his real parents. Implicit: Lucius would not be the son of Lucilla and her ex-husband Lucius Verus, adoptive brother and co-emperor of Marcus Aurelius, but son of Lucilla and Massimo.
In Gladiator, three moments can be seen as a possible outline of this story of filiation. At the beginning of the film, when Lucilla and Maximus talk in front of Marcus Aurelius’ tent, then later, when Lucilla visits Maximus while he is imprisoned. These two moments suggest that Lucilla and Maximus were very close in the past. Third moment, when the young Lucius passes in front of the gladiators and speaks briefly with Maximus (video below).
“This survivor is the son of the union of Lucilla and Massimo”
Maximus initially does not know who the child he is talking to is, he only understands at the last moment that he is Lucilla’s son and Commodus’ nephew. At this moment his gaze becomes alert and he retreats into the shadows. Is he afraid of being recognized by Commodus, who at this moment believes him to be dead? Presumably. But with what Ridley Scott just said, we can look back at this scene and tell ourselves Massimo has just met his illegitimate son for the first time.
In fact, in a recent interview given to Total filmRidley Scott mentioned Gladiator 2 and, among details about the casting choices, talked about the script. In doing so, by explaining why the development of this new story had taken so long, he confirmed that Lucius was indeed present Gladiator 2, son of Massimo and Lucilla.
Why do it now? Until then we didn’t have a script. In reality we tried four years ago, I had chosen a very good screenwriter (David Scarpa, ed.) and he didn’t make it. He was struggling. He was terribly frustrated that he couldn’t do it. He is a friend. I asked him: “Can’t you do it?”, he replied: “No”.
It took ten months. And so he fell into oblivion. Then we refocused and went back to an obvious idea, saying “and why not”? There is one survivor. This survivor is the child of the union between Lucilla and Massimo.
While the idea that Lucius is actually Maximus’ son has always been mentioned, this is the first time that Ridley Scott has confirmed that this is indeed the reality and that it will be so. one of the main plot points of Gladiator 2.
Source: Cine Serie
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