Now an adult, he has a new look this time around, played by Normal People and Aftersun star Paul Mescal.

When we meet him, he is living far from Rome, but as the film progresses, fate takes him back to the place of his childhood as he is drawn into a dramatic tale of brutal revenge.

But who is Lucius? And is he based on a real historical figure? Read on for everything you need to know.

Who is Lucius in Gladiator II?

Lucius is the central character of Gladiator II. He is the former heir to the Roman Empire who lives far from Rome at the start of the film, now living in the African kingdom of Numidia with his wife and calling himself Hanno.

But when his wife is killed and he is taken prisoner by the invading Roman army, Lucius begins training as a gladiator and is spurred by a burning desire for revenge against Marcus Acacius, whom he considers responsible for the destruction of his life.

Of course, anyone familiar with the first film will remember that Lucius already appeared as a child (played by Spencer Treat Clark) in that film, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of the corrupt emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

But a new revelation in the sequel – revealed in the trailer – is that his father is Maximusthe original protagonist memorably played by Russell Crowe. Although there were some hints about this in the first film and it has become a popular theory among fans in the years since, this is the first time it has been made official.

At the start of Gladiator II, Lucius has had no contact with his mother for 15 years, meaning a lot hinges on their first meeting upon his return to Rome – a key scene in the new film.

Was Lucius a real historical figure?

GOOD… yes and no. While it is true that Lucilla had a son named Lucius Verus – who was actually co-ruler of the Roman Empire during the reign of Commodus – he died at the age of 12.

The version of Lucius we see in the film is therefore essentially a fictional character, taking his name from Lucilla’s real son but very little else.

Who plays Lucius in Gladiator II?

Irish actor Paul Mescal plays Lucius in the film, taking over from Spencer Treat Clark who played him as a child in the original.

Mescal has become a huge global star since breaking out with his starring role in Normal People in 2020. He has since appeared in a string of acclaimed films, starting with a minor role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter in 2021 and continuing with an Oscar-nominated turn in the superb Aftersun and a hugely moving role alongside Andrew Scott in the incredibly moving All of Us Strangers.

His other films include Carmen, God’s Creatures and Foe, and he has many other projects in the works, including The History of Sound, Hamnet and Richard Linklater’s Merrily We Roll Along – which spanned a 20-year period .

Addressed exclusively to RadioTimes.com Ahead of Gladiator II Release, Star Lucilla Returns Connie Nielsen is full of praise for Mescal and what he brought to the role of Lucius that made him different from Russell Crowe’s Maximus.

“I think Russell brought…a kind of grandeur to the role,” she explained.

“What Paul brings to the role is this deeper story, the story of a child who was abandoned, of someone who witnessed incredible injustice, and he brings to the role of Lucius a such intensity and such feeling.”

Learn more:

Gladiator 2 is now showing in UK cinemas.

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