Gladiator 2 Can Repeat The Original’s Great Twist Ending Trick

Gladiator 2 seems to have the perfect opportunity to repeat the original movie’s epic ending twist. Unfolding decades after the first Gladiator film, Gladiator 2 will center on Lucius Verus, portrayed as the villainous Commodus’ nephew in the original film. Although young Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the first Gladiator, Paul Mescal (of the Aftersun and Normal People fame) will play the older version of the character in the sequel. Apart from Lucius, Gladiator 2 will also feature other figures from Roman mythology, including Lucius’ mother, Lucilla, Caracalla, and Geta.

While the film’s focus on Lucius’ story confirms that he will carry Maximus’ legacy forward by taking a stand against the corrupt forces of the Roman Empire, the involvement of Caracalla and Geta hints the movie may also draw on some real history, like the original. Interestingly, the inclusion of these characters in Gladiator 2 also makes room for the film to borrow the original’s brilliant ending twist. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 cannot merely emulate its predecessor’s story and twists, but it can leverage its rich character dynamics and beats by repeating one iconic plot line.

Gladiator 2’s Ending Can Repeat The Original’s Praetorian Guard Betrayal

Caracalla Could Meet The Same Fate As Commodus In Gladiator 2

In the first Gladiator‘s opening arc, Quintus, a Praetorian guard, initially seems warm towards Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and General Maximus. However, when Prince Commodus assassinates his father, Aurelius, and reigns as the new Emporer, Quintus betrays Maximus by siding with Commodus and following through with his execution. Quintus, however, later redeems himself by refusing to give his sword to Commodus and asking the other Praetorian guards to sheathe their weapons. Considering Gladiator 2‘s potential story beats, it can adopt a similar narrative.

Just like a Praetorian guard betrays Maximus and supports Commodus in Gladiator‘s opening arc, a Praetorian could follow Caracalla’s command in Gladiator 2 and kill his brother Geta to help him reign supreme over the Roman Empire. However, like Quintus from the first movie, the guard could later switch teams and become the primary reason for Caracalla’s death. Repeating the Praetorian betrayal narrative would make Gladiator 2 a little too similar to Gladiator, but it would interestingly reflect real historical events.

Gladiator 2’s Praetorians Can Reflect Real History

Caracalla’s Real History Perfectly Parallels Gladiator’s Commodus Story

If Gladiator 2 treads the same path as its predecessor and adopts a similar Praetorian twist, it would be historically poetic because Caracalla actually used a Praetorian Guard’s assistance to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. After Emperor Septimius Severus’ death, his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, were co-emperors of the Roman Empire. However, Caracalla betrayed his own brother by ordering a Praetorian Guard to murder him. Little did Caracalla realize that karma would soon catch up with him, leading him to a fate that mirrors his brother’s.

While visiting a temple near Carrhae, Caracalla was approached by a soldier, Justin Martialis, who killed him under the Praetorian Prefect Macrinus’ orders. Although Macrinus, too, soon met a similar fate, it is hard not to notice how Caracalla’s story shares real historical parallels with the Praetorian Guard storyline from Gladiator. Although Gladiator 2 could seem strikingly analogous to Gladiator if it adopts Caracalla’s real historical story, the film would still differ from its predecessor in one crucial way.

Gladiator 2’s Ending Would Be Different From The Original, Despite Copying The Twist

Caracalla And Commodus’ Deaths Have One Significant Difference

In the first Gladiator, Commodus faces the consequences of his immoral actions when Maximus overpowers him in a duel at the Colosseum and shoves a knife in his throat. If Gladiator 2 portrays the real historical events behind Caracalla’s demise, its ending would be significantly different from Gladiator because Caracalla did not die in the Roman arena. However, considering how Ridley Scott is infamous for skewing real history in many of his historical dramas, it seems likely that Gladiator 2 will only borrow bits and pieces from real history while taking creative liberties to craft a more cinematic experience for audiences.

Gladiator 2

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 Barry Keoghan 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.

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Scott Free Productions , Red Wagon Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

David Scarpa

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