Summary
Gladiator IIis introducing a wave of new characters, as well as welcoming back some returnees from the 2000 original, yet the trailer has confirmed that one character’s absence is a major missed opportunity. Despite theoriginalGladiator’s definitive ending, plans forGladiator IIhave long bubbled in the background. While it makes sense that severalGladiatorcharacters will not feature in the sequel, either due to age or events in the first film, there is one who could have greatly enhanced the action.
Much like Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning original,Gladiator IIis set to follow a revenge arc, in which a man who has lost everything seeks redemption in the arena. On this occasion, the story centers aroundPaul Mescal’s Lucius– who appeared in the original movie, although played by a different actor. After his home is attacked by a Roman army, Lucius finds himself forced into slavery as a gladiator, competing in Rome’s Colosseum in a bid to exact revenge. It’s an arc that undoubtedly has echoes ofRussell Crowe’s Maximus. Beyond this, however, Lucius' story could have set up an ideal sequel return for another popular character.
The Gladiator 2 Trailer Proves There Was A Perfect Role For Djimon Hounsou
He Was Long-Rumored To Be Involved
In exploring some of the key beats ofGladiator II’s story, the film’s first trailer has confirmed thatthere would have been an ideal role for original movie actor Djimon Hounsou. For a long time, Hounsou was presumed to be part of the production. Along withConnie Nielsen’s Lucilla and Derek Jacobi’s Gracchus(both of whom will feature), Hounsou’s Juba was one of the relatively few major characters to survive the events of the story. He even memorably promised that he would “see (Maximus) again” in the movie’s closing moments.
However, it has since been confirmed thatHounsou will have no part in the 2024 sequel. In an interviewBroBible’sPost Creditpodcast, the 60-year-old explained that he had “honestly no” involvement, adding: “(it) was a pure accident in the way it unfolded. I was going to be part of it. Circumstances dictated it to be something different” (viaYahoo!). This lays to rest any remaining rumors about Hounsou and Juba’s involvement inGladiator II.
As definitive as this response is, however, the situation is made more frustrating by the fact that there is an obvious capacity in which Juba could have appeared. Footage from theGladiator IItrailer showsLucius undergoing the same kind of gladiator training endured by Maximus. It would therefore have been a natural fit to have Juba come back as a kind of mentor figure – perhaps an amalgamation of his original role, Oliver Reed’s Proximo, and the hulking German Hagen. Unfortunately, Hounsou’s absence means that this potential throughline to the original story has been lost.
Gladiator 2 Timeline: When The Sequel Is Set & How Long After The First Movie
Gladiator II is set to continue the original’s story years after it was released, and the sequel will also take place years after Maximus' death.
How Gladiator 2 Could Have Used Djimon Hounsou’s Character
He Could Have Been A Major Player
There are multiple ways thatGladiator IIcould have used Juba’s character.He could easily have fulfilled a mentor role, guiding Lucius through gladiator training and developing his talent, helping him come to terms with his new life as a slave and offering wisdom and experience to the young fighter. More radically, he could also have played a more active and combative part. He could, for instance, have been portrayed as a gnarled and elderly active fighter, much like Tigris of Gaul from the first movie.
In a shocking twist,Juba could even have been portrayed as a villain. As a slave, he would have had no autonomy over his fate, so could have been directed to do Lucius harm, bringing the pair into conflict. Such an approach would have conflicted with his characterization as a noble man who cherished memories of his family, but it would also have helped make an important point aboutgladiators' place in Roman society. However Juba was used, the fact thatGladiator IIis telling such a similar story to the original film means that there was ample space to fit him in.
Djimon Hounsou’s Gladiator 2 Absence Is Disappointing – But Makes Some Sense
It Wouldn’t Have Been An Accurate Reflection Of Rome
Seeing Juba return to theGladiatorfranchise and learn more about his journey post-Maximus' dramatic final fight in the arena could have been extremely gratifying. However, even in a storytelling medium that relies on fantasy,such a comeback would arguably have felt extremely unrealistic. Unlike other returning characters, Hounsou’s Juba was a slave. While he seemed to have been released from prison inGladiator’s ending, it’s unlikely that he would have been granted total freedom.
Even inGladiator’s highly stylized version of Rome, there had only been one undefeated fighter – Tigris. In some ways, seeing Juba again inGladiator IIwould have stretched the boundaries of credulity.
As a result, it’s highly likely that he would have continued to fight as a gladiator. Given the life expectancy for fighters, it’s almost certain that Juba would have died in the intervening decades. Even inGladiator’s highly stylized version of Rome, there had only been one undefeated fighter – Tigris. In some ways, seeing Juba again inGladiator IIwould have stretched the boundaries of credulity. However popular Hounsou’s character might have been, the odds of his survival for the sequel were never high.
