Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” but the character was played by Spencer Treat Clark in the original “Gladiator.”
“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.
