Paul Mescals Gladiator II character, Lucius, was previously featured in the original Gladiator movie but his father was given a different identity in the first movie than in the sequel. Set more than two decades after the first Gladiator film, Gladiator II sees Roman soldiers arriving at Lucius homestead, killing his wife, and forcing him into slavery. Inspired by Maximus noble crusade in the previous movie, Lucius decides to bide his time, work his way up the ranks as a gladiator, and gradually plot his revenge against the Romans who took everything from him.

Lucius appeared in the first Gladiator movie, but he was a pretty minor character. Originally played by Spencer Treat Clark, Lucius role in the original film was to drive his uncle Commodus mad with jealousy. Commodus wanted to be seen as a badass, but his nephew instead idolized the victorious gladiator Maximus. Lucius father was identified in Gladiator,...