Lucius being the son of Maximus in Gladiator 2 may have come as a shock to some, but the original movie laid the foundation 24 years ago. Paul Mescal leads Gladiator 2's cast as Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) from the first movie. Audiences catch up with Lucius fifteen years after the death of Maximus (Russell Crowe) in the Colosseum, and a flashback scene shows that he was forced to flee the city, as being the heir to the throne would make him a target. Now, he's living in Numidia with a wife, tending to a farm.

Unfortunately for Lucius, Rome won't leave him be, as a naval force led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invades Numidia, killing his wife and taking him captive. As a gladiator, Lucius makes his way back to Rome, and Lucilla soon discovers that her long-lost son is alive. While she understands that...