Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus in Gladiator
Summary Ridley Scott's Gladiator II has replaced the original's iconic villain with some equally nefarious characters, but there remains a concern that the movie will still lack what made Commodus so successful. Gladiator is generally regarded as one of the best Roman historical epics ever made, and, since its release, has stood the test of time as a standalone tale.
Gladiator 2's Emperors Aren't The Same Scheming Villains As Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus Commodus' Inferiority Complex Drove Much Of The First Film's Narrative One of the best aspects of Gladiator was watching Commodus rise to power as Maximus was thrown from it. Commodus was desperate for love, first from his father and second, from the people of Rome, to whom he had a warped vision of what it meant to be loved.
How Geta and Caracalla In Gladiator 2 Are Similar To The Original Movie's Commodus Same Flaws, Different Emperors Close In Gladiator II, Geta and Caracalla may be different leaders, but the position is the same as when Commodus ruled Rome. Along with that position comes unimaginably vast resources and wealth. With such a disparity between the ruling class and the citizens, corruption and delusions of grandeur threaten to seep in.
In the trailer for Gladiator II, the new co-emperors appear to have complete disregard for the Roman citizens altogether; when reminded that the people must be fed, Caracalla gleefully remarks that "they can eat war," which is delusion personified. While Gladiator certainly focused primarily on Maximus' quest for retribution, much of the film was also devoted to developing the character of Commodus, and Scott may take a different path with Gladiator II.
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