Gladiator 2's Lucius Father Twist Is Much Better Than The Roman Rumors

Warning: This Article Contains SPOILERS For Gladiator 2Gladiator 2 is one of the biggest films to come out in 2024, continuing the saga of Ridley Scott's 2000 historical epic by telling the story of Lucius Verus Aurelius fighting in Rome's gladiatorial arena. Gladiator 2 has received solid reviews and is shaping up to be one of Ridley Scott's biggest successes, which is due in large part to the film's characters, many of whom manage to keep Gladiator 2 interesting even when it retreads the same ground as the first film.

Gladiator 2's big twist is that Lucius, who had only been known as Hanno in the beginning of the film, was actually the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the protagonist from the original Gladiator. Lucius' parentage is a point of contention within the film itself, and the options presented by some of Gladiator 2's characters show a very different direction the film could have gone, which would have been much darker, but likely not as interesting or relevant to what the film was trying to say.

Gladiator 2 Confirms There Were Rumors In Rome That Commodus Was Lucius' Real Father

People Thought His Uncle Was His True Father

Close

In Gladiator 2, Denzel Washington's Macrinus reveals the fact that rumors floated throughout Rome that Lucius Verus was actually the son of Commodus, the former Roman Emperor who acted as the central antagonist of the first Gladiator. While obviously, this isn't actually true, the idea behind it makes some amount of sense, as Commodus had a clear incestuous desire for his sister, Lucilla. Commodus was also very interested in Lucius during the events of the first Gladiator, putting him front and center of his plans when he was Emperor.

Commodus Being Lucius' Father Would Have Been A Darker Twist For Gladiator 2

This Twist Would Have Been Darker, But Not Necessarily Better

Image via Paramount Pictures

While Commodus being Lucius' father would have made sense in Gladiator 2, it would have been a much darker story than the film ended up becoming. The first reason for that is, obviously, that Lucius' mother, Lucilla, was Commodus' sister, and while that kind of relationship certainly wasn't unheard of, it would have colored the film in a negative way. Ridley Scott's sequel likely wouldn't be able to strike the same inspirational tone that Gladiator 2's ending went for, as Lucius' true parentage becomes a big part of why he does what he does.

The real-life Lucius Verus II was simply the son of Lucilla and Lucius Verus, and he died when he was quite young.

This alternate interpretation would also likely not have been as interesting as what ended up happening in the film, even if there is something to the idea. If Gladiator's Emperor Commodus was Lucius' father, then the story would likely end up being about Lucius needing to rise above his parentage, as opposed to embracing it as he did with his true father, Maximus. Then, there would potentially be some mixed messaging as his mother and father would have represented two entirely different things, which would potentially make Gladiator 2 much more convoluted when it comes to the movie's themes.