Gladiator II
Gladiator 2is the direct sequel to Ridley Scotts Best Picture-winning epicGladiator, picking up several years after the originals conclusion and following Maximus son Lucius on his quest for vengeance and justice.
The film explores Lucius journey back to Rome, stepping into his fathers footsteps and calling for a revolution from within the walls of the gladiatorial Colosseum.
Its a fitting and stirring continuation of the original story, using several important callbacks andreturningGladiatorcharactersto give the story extra weight.
Despite taking place many years after the original films conclusion,Gladiator 2does a great job of staying connected to that original narrative.Maximus legacy plays a huge role in the story, giving Lucius something to aspire to and continuing his fathersdream of Rome that was first spoken by Marcus Aureliusin the first movie.
These callbacks often come in more subtle forms too, with brief quotes and references toGladiatorthat are given a new meaning in this context.
“What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity” Is Said By Maximus In Gladiator 1
The Quote Is Spoken In The Opening Sequence Of Gladiator
Gladiatoris renowned for its iconic quotesand memorable lines, and several of these manage to bleed through into the sequel.
One of Maximus most profound and important lines is spoken right at the beginning ofGladiator, as the Roman Legion is preparing for battle with the barbarians in Germania.
Speaking to his soldiers, Maximus assures them that what we do in life echoes in eternity,teaching them not to fear death as they will be rewarded for their bravery in the next life.
Maximus' Quote Comes From Marcus Aurelius
Maximus Isn’t The First To Speak The Words
While its Maximus that speaks the line inGladiator, in real life,the quote is often attributed to Marcus Aurelius hugely popularMeditations.
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
The book is a collection of the Emperors most private and philosophical thoughts, often reflecting upon his own legacy and the importance of ones own purpose in the universe.
His words are now the basis of the philosophical movement of stoicism, which explains why Maximus decided to present them to a group of soldiers potentially facing their own deaths.
How Maximus' Quote Connects To Gladiator 2
The Words Take On A Different Meaning For Lucius
Maximus quote returns inGladiator 2, chiseled above his burial site in Rome and found on the lips of several different characters throughout the film.
Its presence in the story isnt merely a reference to Marcus Aurelius persevering legacy, but rather a commentary on the politics and injustice on display.The words are used as a symbol of democracyand a reminder that the characters are fighting for something bigger than themselves, which is a trait Lucius clearly shares with his late father.
Gladiator 2 is finally here, and Pedro Pascal’s character is mightily similar to Russell Crowe’s iconic Maximus, but with a far darker twist.
While the film isnt strictly based on reality, there areseveral real-life historical figures inGladiator 2whose presence in the story gives it a much more grounded and authentic sense of scope.
Marcus Aurelius was perhaps the most noteworthy example in the first film, so its no wonder that his presence is still felt in the immediate sequel - his words are a reminder that almost everybody inGladiator 2is still working towards his dream of Rome, a city built on democracy and justice for all.
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Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000.
Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta.
Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
