Gladiator 2 centers on Lucius, a former heir-to-the-Roman-Empire-turned-gladiator who has connections to the original film's characters. Denzel Washington's character, Macrinus, serves as a Proximo replacement by sponsoring gladiators. Macrinus has a grudge against the co-emperors and may have a change of heart, potentially aiding Lucius in the sequel.

Denzel Washington's Gladiator II role echoes a storyline from the original movie, making the actor's character a perfect replacement for one of the 2000 movie's most memorable personalities. Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator 2 is a sequel to the filmmaker's Oscar-winning Gladiator. While the first film followed Russell Crowe's Maximus, a betrayed Roman general-turned-gladiator, Gladiator 2 centers on Lucius (Paul Mescal). A former heir to the Roman Empire, Lucius becomes a gladiator only after general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invades his home under the rule of co-emperors Caracalla (Joseph Quinn) and Geta (Fred Hechinger).

Any Gladiator 2 cast and character guide will reiterate that legacy...