6 Biggest Characters Missing From Gladiator 2

Summary Gladiator II introduces a new cast of characters, including Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) as the main protagonist challenging Ancient Rome's authority.

Notable characters like Juba and Quintus from the original film are absent in the sequel due to recasting and similarities with new characters.

The sequel features a star-studded cast with reprises from Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, alongside new additions like Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.

While Gladiator II is a continuation of the story that began in Gladiator, several significant characters from the first film are not in the sequel. Set more than two decades after Gladiator, the sequel's story revolves around Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) becoming a gladiator and challenging the authority in Ancient Rome. Lucius was first introduced in Gladiator as the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and was played by Spencer Treat Clark, but director Ridley Scott recast the role with Mescal.

Due to the deaths of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) and Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) at the end of Gladiator, the original protagonist and antagonist are unable to return, although there were early discussions of a sequel featuring Maximus in the afterlife that never came to fruition. In addition to Mescal and a star-studded cast including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, Nielsen returns to reprise her role as Lucilla, as does Derek Jacobi in the role of Senator Gracchus. This still leaves many important surviving Gladiator characters who are not part of the story's next chapter.

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Gladiator II Main Cast Members Role Paul Mescal Lucius Verus Pedro Pascal Marcus Acacius Denzel Washington Macrinus Connie Nielsen Lucilla Joseph Quinn Emperor Geta Fred Hechinger Emperor Caracalla Derek Jacobi Senator Gracchus

6 Juba

Played By: Djimon Hounsou

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Juba is the most prominent surviving Gladiator character who is not in the sequel. As a fellow slave and gladiator, Juba became a close friend and ally to Maximus as they helped each other, with their friendship being at the heart of the film and its underdog story. Unlike Maximus, Juba survived the events of Gladiator, and returned to the Colosseum, where he buried the figurines Maximus carried of his wife and son. Juba spoke of the freedom he and Maximus had won and how he and Maximus would meet again one day, but "not yet."

Why Juba Isn't Returning

Djimon Hounsou was originally announced to be reprising his role alongside Connie Nielsen in April 2023. In December 2023, Hounsou shared that he would no longer be in the sequel, despite his initial involvement, due to scheduling conflicts with other projects in his career. It remains to be seen if Juba's absence will be addressed in Gladiator II.

In the years since Gladiator's release, Hounsou starred in Blood Diamond, for which he received an Academy Award nomination, and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DCEU, and A Quiet Place franchises.

5 Quintus

Played By: Tomas Arana

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Quintus was initially a friend and ally to Maximus and served beside him during Gladiator's opening battle between the Roman army and the Germanic tribes. Despite this, Quintus sided with Commodus after the death of Marcus Aurelius and had Maximus arrested, with Quintus choosing to serve Commodus during the cruel leader's reign. Quintus later redeemed himself by refusing to help Commodus when he faced Maximus, commanding the Praetorian Guards not to help Commodus either, and honoring Maximus' dying wishes.

Why Quintus Isn't Returning

While there is not a confirmed reason for Quintus not appearing, it may be because he is too similar to Pascal's new character, General Marcus Acacius. Just like Quintus, Acacius once served alongside Maximus and is a capable warrior who has been promoted into a powerful leadership position. After more than two decades, it is also plausible that Quintus no longer commands the Praetorian Guards, especially since Gladiator II's Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla might be wary of a man who ultimately sided with Maximus over Commodus, who was emperor at the time.

4 Antonius Proximo

Played By: Oliver Reed

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Antonius Proximo was the gladiator trainer who purchased Maximus from slave traders. Proximo recognized Maximus' potential as a formidable gladiator and mentored him, helping Maximus to understand the importance of winning over the crowd who watch the gladiatorial games, which Proximo did as a gladiator who used the games to win his freedom. After later learning Maximus' true identity, his history, and his mission, Proximo ultimately gave up his own life to help Maximus escape and continue his fight against Commodus and for the good of Rome.

Why Antonius Proximo Isn't Returning

The actor who played Proximo, Oliver Reed, passed away in 1999, before Gladiator finished filming. Some of Reed's scenes required a body double and CGI in order for the film to be completed. In Gladiator II, Washington's character, Macrinus appears to be playing a character similar to Proximo, with Macrinus being a former slave who trains and mentors Lucius, and intends to use Lucius to shape Rome's future.

Oliver Reed was posthumously nominated by BAFTA and the Screen Actors Guild for his performance in Gladiator.

3 Senator Falco

Played By: David Schofield

Senator Falco was first introduced when Commodus introduced the politician to Maximus after he led the Roman army to victory against the Germanic tribes. After Commodus' ascension to the throne, Falco became a close ally and advisor to him. Falco advised Commodus on a brutal strategy to use against his enemies, including Maximus, which Commodus followed in the ruthless way he responded to Maximus and by killing or threatening to hurt those closest to him.

Why Senator Falco Isn't Returning

Falco's fate after the deaths of Maximus and Commodus was never confirmed, but he likely lost his power due to his close ties with Commodus. After the righteous Senator Gracchus was reinstated, he would have done everything in his power to see that Falco no longer held any political influence. While his past could indicate him being a useful ally to Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, without his former position, they likely would have no reason to recruit Falco as an ally.

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2 Cassius

Played By: David Hemmings

Cassius was the master of ceremonies who presided over and narrated the events of the gladiatorial games in the Colosseum. He had a guttural, booming voice and presented a great deal of stage presence that served Commodus' goals of turning the games into an entertaining spectacle meant to distract the masses from the larger problems plaguing Rome.

Why Cassius Isn't Returning

David Hemmings passed away in 2003, three years after Gladiator's theatrical release. Given the unique and attention-grabbing cadence of Cassius' voice, it will be difficult for a new character to announce the events of Gladiator II's games as effectively as Hemmings did in the original film. In-universe, it is reasonable to assume that a different individual is master of ceremonies after more than two decades, and that Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla have selected their own individual for this role.

1 Tigris Of Gaul

Played By: Sven-Ole Thorsen

Tigris of Gaul was a legendary gladiator who had a reputation for being undefeated. Eager to see Maximus defeated for all of Rome to see in the Colosseum, Commodus had Tigris fight Maximus, believing Tigris would put an end to the threat posed by Maximus' unexpected return. Maximus not only defeated Tigris, but chose to spare his opponent's life, as Commodus commanded him to do so, and Maximus' refusal in front of the Roman people was a powerful show of resistance.

Why Tigris Of Gaul Isn't Returning

Commodus took Tigris out of retirement to fight Maximus. Between retirement, having his legendary reputation ruined by Maximus, and the more than two decades that have since passed, Tigris' glory days as a gladiator are over. Tigris' experience and history with Maximus could have potentially made him a viable mentor to Lucius, but it appears that Macrinus will be fulfilling this role instead in Gladiator II.