Retired Green Beret David Harris rates portrayals of explosions in movies and TV shows.

He looks at how RPGs are employed in "Black Hawk Down," starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana; "Tropic Thunder," starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black; and "White House Down," starring Jamie Foxx, Channing Tatum, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. He discusses the different ways to launch grenades in "Extraction II," starring Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba; and "RRR," starring Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. He explains how landmines are activated in "Commando," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; "Nobody," starring Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd, and RZA; and "Da 5 Bloods," starring Chadwick Boseman, Delroy Lindo, and Isiah Whitlock Jr. He answers whether you can stop a grenade by jumping on one in "Act of Valor." He talks about the effects of stun grenades in "The Town," starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, and Jon Hamm. Finally, he breaks down how airstrikes work in "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson, Sam Elliot, and Greg Kinnear.

David Harris served in the US Army for 20 years, including as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. He is the CEO of Harris Strategic Solutions, which provides tactical training to military and law enforcement members.

Find out more about David Harris and Harris Strategic Solutions here:

https://www.harrisstrategicsolutionsllc.com/about

• Ridley Scott said an unnamed exec once asked him why he doesn't make movies "about normal people."
• The comment came after his first four movies, including "Alien" and "Blade Runner."
• He said: Because no one's normal unless you're totally boring, right?"

Ridley Scott said an executive asked him why he wasn't making movies "about normal people" after his first four movies failed to ignite the box office.

The director appeared on the November 28 episode of "The Director's Cut" podcast with Fede Alvarez, who helmed 2024's "Alien: Romulus."

During the conversation, Scott touched on the fact that "The Duellists," "Alien," "Blade Runner," and "Legend" were not big earners.

He recalled a conversation when a studio executive pressured him to make movies without heavy topics, visually striking worlds, or strange characters.

He didn't name the executive or give a date — but it seems to have been in around 1986 based on the release dates.

He said: "They're a pretty good first four movies. So I knew I'm on the right track," he said.

"But somebody at one of the studios said to me, 'Why don't you do a film about normal people?' I went, 'What the fuck does that mean?' Because no one's normal unless you're totally boring, right?'"

According to Box Office Mojo, "Alien" made $78 million worldwide in 1979. "Blade Runner" made $39 million globally in 1982, per another reliable movie financial site, The Numbers.

In 1979, the top grossing movie was the Bond film "Moonraker," at $210 million, and in 1982 it was "E.T." with $797 million.

It's surprising those figures aren't higher since both titles are widely regarded as two of the best science-fiction movies ever made.

Scott's fixation on huge themes also led to major successes like "Black Hawk Down," "Kingdom of Heaven," and "Gladiator", which had its sequel premiere on November 15.

The "Alien" and "Blade Runner" movies both flourished in later years.

"Alien" prompted with six further films, including Alvarez's "Alien: Romulus," which takes place shortly after the original movie. Together they've grossed more than $1.98 billion.

"Blade Runner" also spawned a 2017 sequel (which grossed $258 million) and an upcoming Amazon Prime Video TV series.

Scott had his own thoughts about why the films didn't initially win big — either the promotion was at fault, or the people watching.

"These are all good movies, so there's something deeply wrong with the audience or marketing. But you know, I'm not bitter. I'm very happy where I am.

"It is the best attitude that one can have. I think, you know, that's the best attitude that one can have, to just love all of your movies, trust, and keep going," he said.

• "Gladiator" opened in theaters in 2000.
• It became a box office sensation and won the best picture Oscar. Russell Crowe also won the best actor Oscar.
• "Gladiator II," starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, is now in theaters.

Ridley Scott's 2000 historical film "Gladiator" set the stage for its sequel to continue to captivate the box office today.

The original film follows Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of the emperor, who kills Meridius' wife and child. Relegated to slavery, Meridius becomes a gladiator to seek his revenge.

The movie was one of the highest-grossing of 2000, taking in over $460 million worldwide and earning Crowe a best actor Oscar and a best picture win.

Twenty-four years after the movie's release, the sequel, "Gladiator II," starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, is in theaters. On opening weekend, it hit $55.5 million in ticket sales and more than $1000 million worldwide.

Here, we look back on the cast from the original movie and where they are now.

Russell Crowe played the movie's lead, Maximus Decimus Meridius.

Maximus Decimus Meridius was the lead character in "Gladiator." At the movie's start, he's the general of a dominant army for the Roman empire and emperor Marcus Aurelius' successor to his throne. After Aurelius is murdered by his son, Commodus, Meridius is thrown into slavery, and his family is murdered. Meridius seeks out his revenge as a gladiator.

Crowe went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 2000s.

Crowe won the best actor Oscar for his performance as Maximus.

From there, the New Zealand-born actor would become one of the biggest movie stars of the 2000s, starring in acclaimed titles like "A Beautiful Mind," "Cinderella Man," and "American Gangster."

In June, Crowe appeared on the podcast Kyle Meredith With... and discussed his movie's sequel, "Gladiator II."

"I'm slightly uncomfortable with the fact they're making another one — because, of course, I'm dead, and I have no say in what gets done," Crowe said at the TK minute mark, referring to his Maximus character dying at the end of the first movie.

"But a couple of the things I've heard, I'm like — no, no, no, that's not in the moral journey of that particular character, but I can't say anything. It's not my place; I'm six foot under. So we'll see what that is like."

Joaquin Phoenix played the villain Commodus.

Commodus is the main villain in "Gladiator." He kills his father, Marcus Aurelius, after learning that he has decided to make Maximus Decimus Meridius his successor to the throne. He then takes full power of the Roman Empire.

Phoenix forged a successful acting career and scored an Oscar for 2019's "Joker."

Joaquin Phoenix received a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for "Gladiator."

Since the movie, Phoenix has forged a career filled with acclaimed work that often showcases his attraction to daring and challenging roles.

After starring in M. Night Shyamalan's blockbusters "Signs" and "The Village" and receiving a best actor Oscar nomination for the 2006 Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," Phoenix focused more on unique projects during the 2010s.

Phoenix was Oscar-nominated for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 drama "The Master." He also found acclaim for playing a lonely guy who falls in love with an operating system in 2013's "Her."

Phoenix would win an Oscar for the 2019 movie "Joker," in which he played the beloved DC Comics villain in a movie that gave the comic book genre a more dramatic feel. The movie would become one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time. It'd later be beaten by 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Since then, Phoenix's received praise for performances in indie films like "C'mon C'mon" and "Beau Is Afraid." However, he got mixed reactions for playing Napoleon Bonaparte in "Gladiator" director Ridley Scott's biopic on the French military commander, "Napoleon," and the "Joker" sequel, "Joker: Folie à Deux," which was a box office bust.

Connie Nielsen played Commodus' sister, Lucilla.

She is Marcus Aurelius' oldest child. Throughout the movie, she fights off the incestuous advances of her brother, Commodus. She is also the mother of Lucius.

Nielsen is one of the few original actors who returned for the sequel.

At that point in her career, "Gladiator" was the biggest hit the Danish actor had starred in.

She went on to star in the 2002 thriller "One Hour Photo" opposite Robin Williams and the 2013 Lars von Trier erotic drama "Nymphomaniac."

In 2017, she landed a role in another box office hit by playing Queen Hippolyta in "Wonder Woman." Later that year, she would reprise the role in "Justice League" and 2020's "Wonder Woman 1984."

She returns as Lucilla in "Gladiator II."

Oliver Reed played gladiator trainer Antonius Proximo.

The gruff gladiator trainer buys Meridius and turns him into a gladiator worthy of fighting in Rome.

Reed died while filming "Gladiator."

Reed was one of the most acclaimed actors of his era. He was known for playing macho roles in movies from the 1960s and 1970s, such as "Oliver!" "The Three Musketeers," and "Tommy."

Reed died in 1999 while filming "Gladiator." Known for his heavy drinking, his hard-partying reputation led to his passing.

During a break from filming in Malta, Reed encountered officers from the Royal Navy on shore leave at a bar who challenged the actor to a drinking contest.

"He dropped down dead in the floor of a pub," Scott told Variety in 2020 for an oral history of the movie. "He probably had a couple of pints and said, 'I don't feel good,' laid on the carpet and died."

According to the Variety oral history, Reed had promised Scott he wouldn't drink while shooting, leading to the 61-year-old actor drinking on the weekends.

His official cause of death was a heart attack.

Djimon Hounsou played Meridius' friend, Jaba.

Jaba is the gladiator who befriends Meridius.

Hounsou has been working consistently since "Gladiator."

Three years before "Gladiator" opened in theaters, Hounsou landed his big break when Steven Spielberg cast him as the lead in his 1997 drama "Amistad."

Following the success of "Gladiator," Hounsou continued to land steady work, highlighted by costarring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2006 thriller "Blood Diamond," for which he received an Oscar nomination.

Since then, he's played Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was The Wizard in "Black Adam" and the "Shazam!' movies, and most recently starred in Netflix's "Rebel Moon" movies as General Titus.

Richard Harris played the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The Roman emperor whose decision to make Meridius his successor leads to his power-hungry son killing him.

The legendary actor went on to play Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" movies.

Like Reed, Richard Harris was a legend on the screen.

The Irish actor was a star from the late 1960s through the 1980s. He played various roles, from King Arthur in the 1967 musical "Camelot" to an English aristocrat in the 1970s Western "A Man Called Horse." Harris' talents made him not just a box office draw but a beloved actor of critics.

Along with receiving two Oscar nominations over his career (1963's "The Sporting Life" and 1990's "The Field"), Harris also won a Grammy in 1968 for his rendition of "MacArthur Park."

For many, he's best known for the role he took a year after "Gladiator." He played Professor Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

The latter would mark his final role before his 2002 death. Michael Gambon would take over the role in the acclaimed series.

Ralf Moeller played the intimidating gladiator Hagen.

Proximo's chief gladiator who befriends Meridius and Jaba.

"Gladiator" marked a career-high for Moeller.

Moeller began bodybuilding at 17 and was the German national champion in 1984.

He turned to acting four years later and quickly found work in Jean-Claude Van Damme's action movies "Cyborg" and "Universal Soldier."

Moeller would follow "Gladiator" by starring opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in 2002's "The Scorpion King."

Since then he's starred in a bevy of B-level action movies.

Tommy Flanagan played Meridius' loyal servant, Cicero.

The loyal servant of Meridius is killed while trying to help him.

Flanagan is usually cast in tough guy roles.

This Scottish actor often gets cast in tough guy roles due to the scars on his face, the result of a knife fight he got into while working as a DJ before his acting career took off.

His first movie role was in Mel Gibson's 1995 epic "Braveheart." He also starred in "Face/Off" and "The Game" before landing the Cicero role in "Gladiator."

Since then, he's starred in "Sin City," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," but is most remembered for playing Filip "Chibs" Telford on the hit FX series "Sons of Anarchy."

Tomas Arana plays Quintus, the commander who turns on Meridius.

A Roman army commander who betrays Meridius (though comes around to be back on his side at the movie's end).

Arana has always had a knack for playing the bad guy.

Arana has made a career of playing the bad guy onscreen.

From "The Hunt for Red October" to "The Bodyguard," that dastardly stare has made him perfect for the villain role.

Since "Gladiator," he's starred in smaller roles in "The Bourne Supremacy," "The Dark Knight Rises," and "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Derek Jacobi plays Gracchus, the Roman senator who tries to help Meridius.

The Roman senator opposes Commodus' rule and tries to free Meridius from slavery.

Jacobi has been a fixture in period movies for years.

Jacobi has an esteemed career on the stage and screen, leading to him receiving two Emmys, a Tony, and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1994.

Since "Gladiator," he's been one of the go-to British actors whenever Hollywood produces period movies, starring in "Gosford Park" to "The King's Speech."

He reprises his role in "Gladiator II."

Spencer Treat Clark plays Lucilla's son, Lucius.

Lucius, the son of Lucilla, idolizes Meridius.

Clark is being a good sport about Mescal being cast as Lucius in "Gladiator II."

The year 2000 was a breakout one for Clark. The same year he played Lucius opposite Russell Crowe in "Gladiator," he was also seen alongside Bruce Willis as his onscreen son in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller "Unbreakable."

Since then, he's starred in TV shows such as "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Animal Kingdom," and "Manhunt." He also returned for the "Unbreakable" sequel, 2019's "Glass."

When word about a "Gladiator" sequel came out, which focused on the Lucius character now all grown up, some online questioned why Mescal was taking over the role and not Clark.

Scott addressed the recasting in a 2023 interview with Deadline on why Mescal, who became a hot commodity in Hollywood after starring in the 2020 series "Normal People," was right for the Lucius role.

"I'm always looking for someone, something new and fresh," he told the trade. "I mean, fresh is terribly important. So they're not carrying … baggage is a terrible word for what they've done before because it's great stuff, but you will remember he just did this character already."

Clark, who is now 37, is taking all this in stride. In an interview with People in October, he fully supported Mescal.

"The movie looks so good, and Paul's going to do such a great job," he said. "I've actually heard great things about the movie."

• Ridley Scott compared one of the characters in "Gladiator II" to Donald Trump.
• The director said that Denzel Washington's character is "very close to Trump."
• Washington plays the scheming Macrinus, who plots to take over Rome.

Ridley Scott said he took inspiration from President-elect Donald Trump for one of his characters in "Gladiator II."

In the filmmaker's sequel to his 2000 epic, Denzel Washington plays an ambitious arms dealer who forces Lucius (Paul Mescal), the long-lost son of Russell Crowe's character Maximus, to be a gladiator — all while scheming his way into power.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott said that the character, named Macrinus, was "very close to Trump."

Breaking down the role, the director said that his version of Macrinus "was a prisoner of war — probably at a North African state — and actually was taken to Rome probably as a gladiator. Survived. Got free. Got into the business of maybe making wine and bread. He evolved into a very rich merchant selling shit to the Roman armies — food, oil, wine, cloth, weapons, everything."

"He maybe had a million men spread around Europe. So he was a billionaire at the time," Scott continued. "He's also a gangster — very close to Trump. A clever gangster."

"He creates chaos and from chaos he can evolve," he added.

"Gladiator II," which also stars Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, arrived in theaters last week, competing with "Wicked" for the top spot at the box office.

It has so far grossed over $140 million domestically and more than $300 million worldwide, per figures from Box Office Mojo.

Washington has also spoken about how he sees his character in the film, previously telling The Hollywood Reporter that Macrinus tries "to use everybody."

"He'd use his mother, he'd use his own children; he's already used up his soul, so he didn't have any left. He's in bed with the devil," the actor said.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• "Gladiator II" and "Wicked" are both in theaters.
• While "Glicked" isn't as much of a viral double feature as "Barbenheimer," it would be pretty fun.
• If you have time for only one, though, see "Wicked."

"Gladiator II" and "Wicked" are facing off at the box office this weekend.

"Glicked," a portmanteau of the dueling releases, may not live up to the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon of 2023 — the two films would need to make over $2 billion at the box office to pull that off. But they're both positioned for success as blockbusters.

"Gladiator II," directed by Ridley Scott, is the sequel to his 2000 film starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Its protagonist is Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), a long-lost Roman heir sent away for his own safety by his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), after the events of the first film.

"Wicked" is an adaptation of one of the longest-running Broadway musicals. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, this film covers only the first act of the musical, which serves as an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz." (The second part is coming in 2025.)

Having screened both of them, I can say it's absolutely worth seeing both movies eventually, ideally in theaters. The double feature would be a good time, and far less existentially depressing than "Barbenheimer."

But if you've got the time, money, and energy for only one movie this weekend, you should see "Wicked."

'Wicked' vs. 'Gladiator II,' by the numbers

Both movies have been well received so far and are certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but critics and audiences generally seem to like "Wicked" a bit more.

If time is of the essence, there's no tie-breaker — they're nearly the same length.

If you want something you can see with the whole family, "Wicked" is more kid-friendly.

Now on to the more subjective stuff.

'Wicked' is a better movie than 'Gladiator II'

The witches have it, folks. To briefly summarize my "Wicked" review:

• Erivo and Grande are extraordinary as Elphaba and Glinda. It's not unlikely that Grande will pick up an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress (despite some hubbub over whether she belongs in that category) — and frankly, everyone should watch Erivo sing "The Wizard and I."
• "Wicked" does make some frustrating choices and feels a bit self-indulgent.
• It's still one of the best movie musicals in recent memory and makes a convincing argument for why it needed to be a two-part film.

"Gladiator II" is fun — but not quite as good, and narratively messy.

• It has trouble juggling its large cast and many contentious relationships. That results in an irritating underutilization of Pedro Pascal, who is otherwise just as heartstring-tugging as usual.
• But the action sequences are pretty fun, as long as you're not too pedantic about historical accuracy. (Colosseum sharks.)
• Denzel Washington is great, even if his character, Macrinus, is a little inscrutable.

'Gladiator II' has more Paul Mescal in it, though

Can't argue with that. Mescal is bloody, feral, leading-man material in "Gladiator II."

Be warned that people might start singing at 'Wicked'

Universal Pictures has scheduled sing-along screenings of "Wicked" that start on December 25. They can't really come soon enough, though. The New York Times reported on audience members' frustrations with their compatriots belting out songs — and that was just at early-access screenings.

Let's be clear: You should definitely not start singing along at "Wicked" unless it is a designated sing-along screening. It's rude and disrupts other people's enjoyment of the film. Do what the rest of us have done since we were children and strain your voice by belting "Defying Gravity" in the comfort of your own living room.

Ultimately, follow your own taste

"Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are both worth the price of admission (and maybe even of a popcorn and soda). Ultimately, it boils down to whether you have a strong preference for or against musicals.

If you're thirsting for blood, go see "Gladiator II." If you're craving off-the-charts theater-kid energy, obviously go see "Wicked."

• "Gladiator II" is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 film "Gladiator" starring Russell Crowe.
• The new movie doesn't work very well as a historical epic — or, frankly, a drama.
• If you want to see Paul Mescal go feral, or some sharks in the Colosseum, you'll have a great time.

"Gladiator II" is a messy sequel to Ridley Scott's Roman epic — but what it lacks in narrative connective tissue, it makes up for in spectacle.

After all, aren't we here to be entertained? With a cast led by Paul Mescal in his first blockbuster leading role, "Gladiator II" delivers on the action, and should definitely be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Just don't worry too much about the narrative — or the historical details.

The sequel, directed by Scott, picks up approximately a decade and a half after the death of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), the Roman emperor who dreamed of a better empire before being killed by his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Commodus was eventually taken down by Roman general-cum-gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), who also died of his wounds in the battle at the end of the original 2000 film.

By the time "Gladiator II" picks up, not much has changed. Rome is ever-expanding, characterized by the hunger and decadence of its twin rulers, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) has just conquered the African territory Numidia — unknowingly, he brings an unwilling (and initially unknown) prodigal son back with him.

That's Lucius (Mescal), the son of Marcus Aurelius' daughter Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, reprising her role from the first film), and Maximus himself, who has been living a quiet life in hiding since his mother spirited him away from Rome. Despite growing up in Rome, Lucius has little desire to return. Unfortunately, like his father, he's been taken as a slave following the death of his wife, picked up by the calculating Macrinus (Denzel Washington) as a fighter under a false name, and given the chance to slay his way to freedom in the Colosseum.

"Gladiator II" does its best to juggle its many contentious relationships, and the broader conflicts that they represent in the film, to middling success. Lucius chafes against Rome's carnivorous nature represented in Acacius, the depravity modeled by its twin emperors, and its social order embodied in Macrinus, a former slave who has clawed his way into power. Pascal's character, in particular, feels half-baked both as a person and as a symbol for the Rome Lucius must come to love and defeat — it's the actor's performance that drives any buy-in.

Some important dynamics, like the one between Lucius and his mother Lucilla, suffer amid rapid pacing. And Washington's Macrinus, though carried by the actor's intensely captivating presence, can be difficult to parse. Some of that is certainly by design, and Washington draws out Macrinus' calculating, jovial, and menacing facets with equal aplomb. However, it makes it difficult to buy into Macrinus' entire ethos.

What does work well are the fights, and rest assured that there are plenty of them.

"Gladiator II" is big, bloody, and vicious in its combat, and rarely holds back when it can cut deeper. Scott brings his sensibility for scale to gigantic battles, like the naval conflict that kicks off the film's action. "Gladiator II" shines best, though, in tightly choreographed sequences, like the battle between Acacius and Lucius teased in trailers, or more bombastic ones, like Lucius matching a feral monkey's freak in hand-to-paw combat. Leave your historical pedantry at the door for the much-decried Colosseum sharks.

Sillier combat experiences aside, the film derives most of its levity from Quinn and Hechinger's obscene twin emperors and Dundus, Caracalla's pet monkey. In particular, "Gladiator II" should serve as an excellent argument to keep casting Quinn — previously best known as "Stranger Things" breakout heartthrob Eddie Munson — in the most unhinged roles humanly possible, because he steals every single scene.

The biggest winner is Mescal, who proves with more than a few brooding glances and swings of the sword that he has the chops to carry a blockbuster. "Gladiator II" isn't shy about drawing blatant parallels between Lucius and Maximus' journeys. Mescal's performance, however, is grounded and more vindictive than Crowe's in the first film, and tips the balance toward Lucius feeling more like a successor to Maximus' mission than a carbon copy.

Ultimately, "Gladiator II" works better as an action flick than a focused historical drama. If you're here to watch Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal just absolutely go at it in the ring — or Denzel Washington gossip and plot his way through Roman court — you're in the right place. Just don't read too much into the broader narrative, and you'll be fine.

"Gladiator II" is now in theaters.

• Paul Mescal plays Lucius Verus in "Gladiator II."
• The film revealed in a trailer — and makes it clear in the movie — that Lucius is Maximus' son.
• In "Gladiator," Lucius is just a child — here's what you need to know about him.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Gladiator II."

In "Gladiator II," Paul Mescal's Lucius is a vengeful heir to the throne who's out for blood — but in the first "Gladiator" film, his character is just an innocent child who mucks up his parents' coup d'état.

"Gladiator II" picks up a few decades after Ridley Scott's 2000 film, which starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Long after general-turned-gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) and Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) killed each other in battle, long-lost heir Lucius returns to Rome as a gladiator after the empire conquers his new home, Numidia.

Compared to his appearance in the first film, Lucius is a bit difficult to recognize. For one, he's no longer a child. More importantly, however, his time away from Rome has fostered a deep resentment toward the empire — and a desire to turn away from his lineage as the son of Empress Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role in the new film).

Here's what you need to know about Lucius, and how Mescal's storyline in "Gladiator II" connects to the first film.

Lucius is a child in the 2000 film 'Gladiator'

In the first "Gladiator," Rome falls to chaos after emperor Marcus Aurelius appoints Maximus, one of his generals, as his successor instead of his son, Commodus. In turn, Commodus kills his father, and does the same to Maximus' family when the general refuses to swear loyalty to him. Maximus ends up enslaved and eventually winds up fighting for his freedom at the Colosseum as a gladiator.

While in Rome, Maximus learns that his former soldiers are still loyal to him. Working with Lucilla, Commodus' sister, they attempt to plan a coup to remove Commodus from power. Unfortunately, Commodus finds out about it (more on that later), quashes the plan, and challenges Maximus to a duel. Despite Commodus stabbing Maximus before the fight, Maximus defeats him but succumbs to his wounds.

In the first film, Lucius (played by Spencer Treat Clark) is introduced as Lucilla's young son and the heir to the throne. He and Maximus briefly meet: Lucius gleefully inquires about Maximus' combat abilities, and tells Maximus that he'll cheer for him in the games. Lucius also tells Maximus that he was named after his father, who is dead.

Later in the film, however, Lucius playfully spars with his uncle Commodus and pretends to be "Maximus, the savior of Rome." The epithet clues Commodus into Maximus and Lucilla's plan, and after stopping Maximus' escape, he threatens Lucilla with Lucius' life so that she will provide him with an heir of his own.

At the end of the film, when Maximus is on the edge of death, he tells Lucilla that Lucius is safe, presumably from Commodus. Lucius looks on as Maximus dies.

'Gladiator II' clarifies Lucius' backstory

"Gladiator II" takes Lucius from boy to haggard man, filling in the gaps in his life after the events of the first film.

As the sequel recounts, Lucilla sent Lucius out of the city after Maximus and Commodus' deaths to keep him safe. Eventually, he found a home in the North African kingdom of Numidia, where he settled in with a wife and took a new name. After Rome conquers the kingdom under the command of General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius gets taken back as a slave. Eventually, Macrinus (Denzel Washington) acquires him as a gladiator.

Once he arrives in Rome — and crucially, after he crosses paths with his mother Lucilla — Lucius gradually begins to accept his royal heritage again. He also learns that his true father was Maximus, the legendary gladiator who fought in the same ring.

"Gladiator II" includes a few glimpses of the original film, including Spencer Treat Clark as young Lucius, to hammer down the connection. By the end of the film, Lucius has donned Maximus' armor and acknowledged his birthright as an heir to Rome. He proclaims his intent to reclaim it for the people, similar to Maximus' mission to turn the empire into a republic in the first film.

"Gladiator II" is now in theaters.

• The ending of "Gladiator II" pays homage to Russell Crowe's character in "Gladiator."
• The new sequel has many parallels with the first film.
• Here's what to know about the conclusion to the film and why there may be another sequel.

"Gladiator II" doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there may still be room for another sequel.

The new movie battles with "Wicked" for the top spot at the box office this week after both films premiered in the US on the same day.

Scott, who directed the first two movies, told Total Film in October that he had started a script. "I've already got eight pages. I've got the beginning of a very good footprint," Scott said.

Spoilers ahead for "Gladiator" and "Gladiator II."

'Gladiator II' replicates many beats from the first film.

The first film, which premiered in 2000 and won 5 Oscars, followed a Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), an honorable Roman general whose wife and child are killed when a new emperor takes power.

After becoming a highly favored gladiator, Maximus takes part in a failed coup to turn Rome into a democracy. When this fails, the emperor mortally wounds Maximus and challenges him in the Colosseum, where they both die.

As Maximus is dying, he encourages the people to follow the dream of the old emperor, Marcus Aurelius.

Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Aurelius' daughter, then gives a rousing speech that Maximus' death should not be in vain.

Rome is still a mess in "Gladiator II," set 16 years after the first film.

The sequel replicates many of the first film's beats, with a few new developments.

Instead of one tyrannical emperor, there are twins: Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).

But the real twist is that both antagonists are killed by the real villain, Marcinus (Denzel Washington), a power broker who breeds chaos to take over Rome.

Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the new lead general and Lucilla's new husband, organizes a coup against the emperors, as Maximus did.

Like in the first film, the coup is cut short, and Acacius is killed in the Colosseum.

The sequel's protagonist is Lucilla's son, Lucius (Paul Mescal). After the first film, Lucilla sends her son beyond the empire for his own safety, which makes him hate Rome and his mother.

At the film's beginning, Rome attacks Lucius' new home. He is captured, becomes a gladiator, and learns from his mother that his father was Maximus.

Lucius eventually accepts his role as a leader when he hears his mother will be executed for her part in Acacius' coup. He sends a messenger to Acacius' militia to storm Rome and leads a group of gladiators to break from their prison and try to save Lucilla.

The gladiators overpower the Roman guards, but Marcinus kills Lucilla before riding out of the Colosseum to face Acacius' militia with his own army. Lucius gives chase and defeats Marcinus before the two armies can attack each other.

Lucius then wins over both armies with an inspirational speech about how he will rebuild Rome just as father, Maximus, and grandfather, Aurelius, would have wanted.

The hero will stay alive this time to ensure Rome is restored to glory.

There is a small homage to Maximus' death scene at the end.

In the final scene of the sequel, Lucius returns to the Colosseum to see where his mother died and mourn his fallen loved ones.

Calling back to Maximus and Lucius' favorite ritual, Lucius picks up dirt on the ground, looks up to the heavens, and asks his father for advice. Then, there is a brief shot of a hand touching a wheat field before the movie ends.

It is unclear if the clip was footage re-used from the old film, or if it was shot again.

It is an ambiguous ending, but suggests Maximus' spirit is still around to help Lucius.

Fans of the first film may remember that wheat fields in the first film symbolized the afterlife. Throughout the film, the audience sees glimpses of this wheatfield, and when Maximus dies, we see him fully in the field, walking to his wife and child.

Since Lucius is still alive and seemingly the new emperor of Rome, a third film could explore his attempts to save Rome and the new villains who will rise to stop him.

Mescal told Variety last week at the London premiere of "Gladiator II" that he would be "massively down" to appear in the next sequel.