"Gladiator II": the Sequel Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

The original film, with Russell Crowe as the lead actor, was released in 2000 and was very popular. It won five Academy Awards including Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture - the others were for technical excellence.

A sequel was proposed soon after, but a change of ownership of the studio caused delays and it took until 2018 for a decision to be made. A new screenwriter, in David Scarpa, was found and filming took place between the summer of 2023 and early 2024. The release date was late 2024 worldwide.

Answer: Son

Lucius is named for his supposed father, Lucius Verus. In the original film it is revealed that Maximus and Lucilla had been lovers and there are hints that Maximus is the actual father. This is made explicit in 'Gladiator II'. Through his mother, Lucius is descended from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was murdered by Commodus in the first film. Lucilla has sent Lucius away to keep him safe, and doesn't initially recognise him when he is brought to Rome to fight as a gladiator.

In the first film the role of Lucius was taken by Spencer Trent Clark, but this actor does not appear in 'Gladiator II'.

Answer: Hanno

Lucius believes he has been abandoned by his parents, although he was actually been sent away during his childhood for his own protection. As the film begins, he is living under the name of Hanno with his wife in a Roman province of northern Africa. During a Roman invasion, Hanno's wife is killed and he is captured along with other male survivors.

The man who led the Roman army is General Justus Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, who is now married to Hanno's mother although none of them are aware of the complicated relationship at this stage.

Historians have made the valid point that Roman forces would be unlikely to invade a region which is already one of their provinces, but historical accuracy tends not to be a major part of Hollywood dramas.

Answer: Derek Jacobi

Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla in both films while Derek Jacobi appears as Senator Gracchus in both. The character is on the side of 'good' each time, being one of the conspirators who aim to bring down the respective capricious emperors in each film - Commodus in the first and Caracalla in the second. This costs Gracchus his life in 'Gladiator II'.

Joaquin Phoenix was Commodus in the first film, and the character was killed by Maximus during the climactic scene in the Colosseum. Richard Harris played Marcus Aurelius and was also killed off in the first film. In any event, Harris himself died in 2002. Hemmings played the master of ceremonies and had also died long before 'Gladiator II' was filmed.

Answer: Geta

The characters are based on real life people who were, briefly, joint Emperors. Sharing power, both in reality and the film, proves impossible and Geta is soon assassinated on his brother's orders. As the younger son, although only by a year in reality, Geta was always the more vulnerable of the pair.

Caracalla is portrayed by Fred Hechinger while Geta is played by Joseph Quinn. The wrong answers are names of other Roman Emperors.

Answer: Macrinus

There was a real historical Macrinus, who succeeded Caracalla as Emperor, but the version in 'Gladiator II' shares only the ambition of becoming the leader. He is described as a cruel man, a former slave from Africa who is now a free man. Macrinus has a group of gladiators and takes an interest in Lucius, becoming his mentor. He is also a 'wheeler-dealer', supplying food and arms to Rome's armies. The film and real life version are both involved in Caracalla's downfall.

Denzel Washington seems to have relished the role, with some critics describing him as stealing every scene he was in. He received nominations from quite a few a few film associations but won none of them. Washington's acting career has been spectacular though, with two Oscars (at the time of writing) - one for 'Glory' (1989) for Best Supporting Actor and a Best Actor award for 'Training Day' (2001).

Answer: Monkey

Although Caracella is based on a real Roman Emperor, there is no evidence that he ever tried to have a simian consul. The episode is likely to be based on the rumour that Caligula tried to make his horse a consul, although that story is also unlikely to be true.

The creation of a pet monkey is entirely fictional, inserted to illustrate Caracalla's erratic behaviour. The real Emperor was far more a tyrant than the fictional one. The monkey in the film was real and named Sherry, according to Fred Hechinger who played Caracalla. The pair are said to have formed a bond during filming.

Answer: Lucius

Unlike the first film, the hero did survive the mayhem in this film, although the other three didn't. Macrinus persuades Caracalla to execute Lucilla publicly in the Colosseum, which spurs Lucius to lead a rebellion of the other enslaved gladiators. Using Maximus's sword, he storms into the arena with his followers, and Senator Gracchus dies in the chaos.

Macrinus uses the opportunity to kill Caracalla before killing Lucilla by shooting her with an arrow. The events cause the citizens to riot and Macrinus escapes the city with Lucius in close pursuit. Their rival armies are prepared to fight, but Lucius challenges Macrinus to a duel instead, finishing him off. Lucius then reveals his status as the grandson of Marcus Aurelius and the rightful heir, uniting the soldiers with the promise of a more stable future.

Answer: Paul Mescal

Mescal is an Irish actor and the role of Lucius was a major breakthrough for him. He had previously appeared in the television series 'Normal People' in 2020 and the films 'Aftersun' (2022) and 'All of Us Strangers' (2023). Mescal's performance received mostly positive reviews, although comparisons with Russell Crowe in the first film were inevitable, due to the similarities in the storyline. The other actors all appeared in the film. Quinn as Geta, Pascal as Acacius and Lucas taking over from David Hemmings as the stadium's announcer.

The film was not as successful as its predecessor and was passed over at the Academy Awards, although it did win a couple of more minor accolades.

Answer: True

Although many things changed, the director was consistent with Ridley Scott once again being the man in charge. Of course, the 'Gladiator' films are far from his only successes, with 'Thelma and Louise' (1991), 'Blade Runner' (1982) and 'Black Hawk Down' (2001) being just a few of his others.

Cinematography was consistent, with John Mathieson being in charge for both. David Franzoni, who wrote the script for the original film, is credited as a producer and is also acknowledged as having created many of the characters.

Hans Zimmer, who wrote the score for the first film, declined to create the music for the sequel, saying that he didn't want to repeat himself or risk being told the second one fell short of the first. Instead, Harry Gregson-Williams, who has worked regularly with Zimmer, took on the role, having already scored 'The Martian' (2015) and 'Chicken Run' (2000) to name just a couple.