Who from the original cast returns for the sequel to Gladiator?

Those looking forward to the sequel to Gladiator waited to find out which members of the original cast would return in the sequel. Expectations were fueled by the return of Ridley Scott as director and rumors of who would participate in the production – and not everyone expected returned.

Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen in Gladiator (2000), is one of the central characters who returns in “Gladiator 2”. In the original film, she is the sister of Emperor Commodus and mother of Lucius. In the sequel, Lucilla is now a matriarch who guides and protects her son Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), the protagonist.

The presence of Connie Nielsen's character is important to connect the events of the first film to the new events in the story in the second film. Another who returns is Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi), symbolizing resistance against corruption in the Roman Senate.

Actor Djimon Hounsou, who had announced his return, will not return with the character Juba, the gladiator friend of Maximus in the first film. Despite initial rumors and confirmations that he would reprise the role, the actor himself clarified that unexpected circumstances prevented his participation in the project. According to him, he was initially scheduled to join the cast, but the return did not happen due to scheduling conflicts and other factors that did not depend on his wishes.

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As expected, Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, whose characters from the original Gladiator cast died in the first film, do not participate in the sequel, but appear in flashbacks and direct references, such as the representation of Maximus in Lucius' memory.

Two decades after the first film, “Gladiator 2” follows Lucius, now an adult and a follower of Maximus' values. Inspired by the heroic acts of the Roman general who saved him in his childhood, Lucius abandons the privileges of the Roman elite to face the injustices of the empire.

Another highlight of “Gladiator 2” is the participation of Denzel Washington, as the merchant Macrinus. He is one of the central antagonists, representing a powerful and influential figure within the political and social context of the plot. His performance has been praised by critics and considered one of the best in the film.

“Gladiador 2” premiered on November 14th in movie theaters across Brazil.

Technical sheet:

• Gladiator 2
• Original title: Gladiator II
• Genre: Action, Drama, Epic
• Duration: 2h 28min
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Screenplay: David Scarpa
• Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington and Derek Jacobi