Warning – this article contains spoilers for Gladiator II.

Gladiator II carries on the epic saga of Maximus Decimus Meridius’ (played by Russell Crowe) son Lucius (Paul Mescal), charting his path from being the previous heir to the Roman Empire to a captive warrior seeking vengeance.

Born to Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius was dispatched following the events of the original 2000 film, residing with his wife in Numidia, a Roman province in North Africa.

Upon his seizure by the Roman army, he forms a shaky alliance with the ambitious gladiator master Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to concoct a plan to overthrow Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), a troubled general serving under co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

However, before reuniting with his mother and discovering his true destiny, Lucius must first navigate the perils of the Colosseum.

Given that the original Gladiator is one of the most iconic films ever made, movie buffs will be eager to know if A-list actor Crowe will return to his role as Maximus.

Despite his character’s famous demise at the end of the first film, there was a chance that Maximus could reappear in a vision of the afterlife or in newly filmed flashback scenes, with Crowe made to appear younger through special effects.

For those keen to steer clear of spoilers, look away now – Russell Crowe did not return to film new scenes for the Gladiator sequel, although his character Maximus is seen in clips from the original movie at various points.

Maximus’ legacy looms large over the new film, especially when Lucius meets with Lucilla again and wears his father’s legendary armour in the climactic battle.

Moreover, Maximus’ spirit is hinted at in the final scene where Lucius, after defeating Macrinus, calls out to his father to reach out from the afterlife.

While there isn’t a literal spiritual encounter between father and son, the movie concludes with a touching image of what seems to be Maximus’ hand softly sweeping across a wheat field, an echo of the first film’s representation of eternity.

Regarding Crowe’s non-participation, the actor shared his unease about the sequel on the Kyle Meredith With… podcast, revealing, “I’m slightly uncomfortable, the fact that they’re making another one, you know?

“Because of course, I’m dead, and I have no say in what gets done.”

He also voiced concerns about some elements he had heard concerning the sequel, adding, “A couple of things that I’ve heard, I’m like, ‘No, no, no. That’s not in the moral journey of that particular character’,” but conceded that it was not his place to intervene.

With the triumph of the first film, anticipation is soaring for Gladiator II, but will it meet the hype?

Gladiator II is in cinemas now.