• "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."

• "Gladiator II" introduces Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe).
• In the original "Gladiator" movie, the younger Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark.
• Here's why Clark doesn't reprise the role in "Gladiator II."

"Gladiator II" finally arrived on November 22, but fans are still wondering why Paul Mescal plays the slave fighter Lucius, instead of Spencer Treat Clark, who played him in the original movie.

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a former Roman general who is betrayed and sold into slavery. Lucius, the heir to the Roman Empire, watches Maximus fight in the Colosseum.

Lucius disappeared after the events of the original movie and forged a new life for himself. But like Maximus, he's forced into becoming a fighter when he's captured by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and his soldiers.

It's not surprising that Scott cast Mescal as Lucius for the sequel considering the Irish actor has become a rising star after his critically acclaimed performances in"Normal People," "Aftersun," and "All of Us Strangers."

But "Gladiator" fans on social media have said it's odd that Scott didn't ask Clark to reprise the role since he's still working as an actor.

Scott said he needed someone younger to play Lucius in "Gladiator II"

Clark, who is now 36 years old, also played Joseph Dunn in "Unbreakable" opposite Bruce Willis — a role he later reprised in 2019's "Glass." And he's appeared in several TV shows, including "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Animal Kingdom," and "Manhunt."

Last November, Scott told Deadline that he wanted to cast a younger actor to play Lucius in "Gladiator II" and that he was impressed by Mescal, who is 28, in "Normal People."

"I'm always looking for someone, something new and fresh. I mean, fresh is terribly important," Scott said. "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.

"I watched this show called 'Normal People.' It's unusual for me, but I saw one and thought, that's interesting. These actors are really good I watched the whole goddamn show and thought, damn."

He added, "So this came up at a time when I need a 23-year-old, 24-year-old to take up the mantle of Lucius. And I just said, 'You want to do it?' He said, 'Yeah.'"

Spencer Treat Clark says he's "excited" to see "Gladiator II"

Speaking to People ahead of the HBO Max horror remake, "Salem's Lot," Clark explained that he holds no ill will against Scott or Mescal for replacing him as Lucius in "Gladiator II.

"The movie looks so good, and Paul's going to do such a great job. I've actually heard great things about the movie... I feel like it was 25 years ago, but for some people, seeing me as an adult and being like, 'Oh my God, you're right. You were Lucius in Gladiator,' is so wild," He said.

"But I'm really excited to see the movie and to see what Paul brings to it. And yeah, it comes out soon. So I'm excited for it."

• 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.