Do You Need to Watch Gladiator to Understand the Sequel?

More than two decades after Gladiator hit theaters, the sequel is making its highly-anticipated debut.

Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic follows Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) who is sold into slavery as a gladiator. The sequel — which hits theaters on Friday, November 22 — focuses on Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original movie).

“I saw the film for the first time when I was about 13 with my dad,” Mescal, 28, told Entertainment Weekly earlier this month, while costar Pedro Pascal gushed that he saw the original in theaters not once — but twice — because of “how emotional the movie was.”

“Obviously, it’s incredibly visceral and epic and the kind of movie you rarely get to see made these days,” Pascal told the outlet. “It had an impact emotionally, I remember that I guess sadistically I was drawn to a second time because really it was very comforting.”

So, do you need to watch the first movie to understand Scott’s Gladiator II? Scroll down to see the connections between the films below:

What Happened in Gladiator?

Gladiator centers around Maximus (remember, that’s Crowe) who forms a bond with Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus of his plans to crown him Protector of Rome once he dies. Commodus (Phoenix) learns of the news and kills his own father and orders his army to murder Maximus and his family. While Maximus tries to save his loved ones, it’s too late and his wife and son are dead.

Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and is taken to Rome to fight in front of Commodus. Ultimately, Commodus and Maximus fight a duel and both of them — spoiler alert — die.

What is the Plot of Gladiator II?

The sequel takes place decades after the events in Gladiator. While Lucius (that’s Mescal) was a child, Lucilla sent him to a region called Numidia in an attempt to keep him away from Roman society. As Gladiator II unfolds, Lucius’ life is disturbed when Roman forces led by General Marcus Acacius (Pascal) invade Numidia and hold him captive.

While Phoenix and Crowe are not set to appear in Gladiator II, Derek Jacobi and Nielsen will reprise their roles as Gracchus (he’s a Roman Senator) and Lucilla, respectively. The new movie will also feature new faces including Mescal, Pascal and Denzel Washington.

How Do Gladiator and Gladiator II Intersect?

OK — walk with Us. There are several key connections to the original in Gladiator II. For one, the main character (again, that’s Mescal) is the son of a noblewoman in Gladiator. Another thread from Gladiator is that Marcus Acadius (Pascal!) is said to have been trained as a junior officer under Maximus (again, that’s Crowe).

“This movie has an identity that is shaped by his legacy. It wouldn’t make sense for it not to,” Pascal told Vanity Fair in July, calling his character a fighter who “learned from the best, so of course this code of honor is ingrained into his training and into his existence. But at the end of the day, he’s a different person. And that can’t change who he is. Maximus is Maximus, and that can’t be replicated. That just makes Acacius capable of different things.”

Another connecting aspect between the movies is returning director Scott — who said Gladiator II is “as good as the first one.” He told People in August, “I didn’t say better. It’s as good.”

So, Do You Need to See Gladiator to Watch Gladiator II?

The bottom line is that while it’s not absolutely necessary to watch Gladiator in preparation for the sequel, the stories certainly intersect — and watching the first film will help you settle into a very layered world of characters. Basically, you’ll probably get more out of Gladiator II if you stream the 2000 film first. Plus, who wouldn’t want to take a trip down memory lane and see Crowe and Phoenix in the original anyway? Either way, to semi-quote the first Gladiator movie, just get ready to be entertained.

Gladiator II hits theaters on Friday, November 22.