New information about Gladiator 2 has recently been released, and it makes one of the biggest theories about the original movie even more likely to be confirmed. Paul Mescal is set to play Lucius in Gladiator 2, and the new information about his character brought some old theories back to the spotlight. Lucius was a child, played by Spencer Treat Clark, in the original Gladiator, though his actor won't return for Gladiator 2. The part was instead given to Mescal, who will be playing a much older version of Lucius years after Maximus killed Emperor Commodus at the end of Gladiator.

Though Lucius has a new actor, Mescal's take on the character will certainly connect to Clark's. The sequel isn't set for release until November, but the Gladiator 2 story details that are currently available make it clear that Lucius's story was directly influenced by the original Gladiator. The new images of Gladiator 2 held some big reveals about the movie, and specifically Lucius. They don't paint a full picture yet, but those details suggest Gladiator 2 could confirm one of the biggest theories about the original movie. If that theory proves true, it would completely redefine both Gladiator and Lucius' entire character.

Lucius Being Maximus' Son Makes A Lot Of Sense After Gladiator Story Reveals

Lucius is set to be the main character of Gladiator 2, and it looks like he'll be extremely similar to Maximus. Like Maximus, Lucius is a former favorite son of Rome, and Gladiator 2 will also see him imprisoned and forced to fight as a gladiator, and his time in the Colosseum will put him on a path to fighting Rome's established powers. Lucius will also be forced to fight Pedro Pascal's Acacius, a Roman general who was trained by Maximus and who started a romantic relationship with Lucilla, Lucius' mother. Acacius already sounds quite similar to Commodus, Gladiator's main villain, who tried to take Lucilla as his bride.

The similarities between Lucius and Maximus are quite obvious, but they might run even deeper. Gladiator 2's story details seem to suggest Lucius is Maximus' son, a theory that has been popular since the original Gladiator was released over 24 years ago. If Gladiator 2 does confirm that Lucius and Maximus were related, it would fit perfectly with the story details that have been released so far. It would also be extremely thematically poignant, especially since Lucius will have to fight one of the few men left who knew Maximus personally.

Was Lucius Always Supposed To Be Maximus' Son In The Gladiator Sequel?

A big reason the theory that Lucius was Maximus' son in the original Gladiator got so popular is because there were so many hints to it. Gladiator heavily implied that Lucilla and Maximus had a romantic relationship years before the movie, which might have been at the right time to match up to Lucius' young age. Lucius, too, seemed very connected to Maximus throughout Gladiator. They instantly bonded when Lucius spoke to Maximus in his cage, and Lucius quickly began to idolize Maximus after his victories in the Colosseum.

There isn't just support for the theory in the actual movie, though, as Gladiator director Ridley Scott hinted at it in interviews as well. After the original Gladiator's success, Scott began developing a script for the sequel in 2003, but it fizzled out. Later, Scott said in an interview that he wanted to incorporate the idea of Lucius being Maximus' son into Gladiator 2. Scott said, "Therefore, it would be to the son that Maximus had probably left behind with his affair with Lucilla." It now seems that the idea has survived, even 21 years later, and that Gladiator 2 will finally confirm the long-standing theory.

What Lucius Being Maximus' Son Would Mean For Gladiator 2

If Gladiator 2 does establish that Lucius was the illegitimate son of Maximus, it could have a huge impact on the movie's plot. Lucius is already following in Maximus' footsteps, but the knowledge that his true father was "the savior of Rome" could push him to follow even more closely. Knowing that he wasn't actually related to Lucius Verus I could distance Lucius even further from the Empire, especially after Commodus tried to kill him and Lucilla sent him away. That might be enough to convince Lucius to go even further than Maximus did, and eliminate even more of Rome's ruling class.

Aside from its impact on the plot of Gladiator 2, Lucius learning that Maximus was his biological father would have huge thematic implications. One side of Lucius' ancestry would be the legitimate lineage of Roman Emperors, including Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. The other would be Maximus, a man whose life was destroyed and ultimately taken by Rome. Lucius would have to decide which of his legacies to live up to, and how to face the secrets of his past. Confirming the theory that Lucius is Maximus' son would open so many opportunities for Gladiator 2 that it's hard to believe it won't happen.