Paramount Pictures presents a film that breaks the mold of typical big-budget blockbusters. "Gladiator II" focuses on Paul Mescal's journey as he squares off against a rhino and the corrupt Roman Empire. This return to the era of togas and treacherous rulers by Ridley Scott harks back to the grandeur of old-school epics. However, there are some familiar beats that might resonate with Marvel and DC fans.

Uncover the Comic Book Connections in "Gladiator II"

Macrinus' Plot and Its Echoes

In "Gladiator II", a new face named Macrinus (Denzel Washington) enters the scene. A man of mystery with a past full of "many names", he emerges as an outsider to the Empire with a radical idea. Bought into slavery during Marcus Aurelius' reign, his story has a parallel to the sins of the father being passed on to the children. This trope is reminiscent of both "Black Panther" and "The Dark Knight Rises". Just as Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger was inspired by Denzel Washington's performance in "Glory", Macrinus' past catches up with him. Marion Cotillard's Talia Al Ghul in "Batman Begins" also faced a similar situation when her father's sins came back to haunt her. The comparison of Macrinus' success rate with these other characters is a topic of debate. Killmonger managed to hold his ground during Wakanda's takeover, while Talia was present as Gotham crumbled. But a key confrontation in "Gladiator II" shares a fatal flaw with Zack Snyder's most divisive DCU entry.

Lucius vs Marcus: A Dumb Plot Device

In "Gladiator II", the confrontation between Lucius (Paul Mescal) and Roman general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) could've been avoided with a simple conversation. The decorated general, now married to Lucius' estranged mother Lucilla, ordered the killing of Lucius' wife Arishat, sparking his vengeance. However, when they are forced to fight to the death in the arena, Acacius fails to give Lucius the full story about his mother being held hostage. This lack of communication leads to a needless fight. It's a reminder that sometimes, in the heat of the moment, characters fail to learn from history and repeat mistakes. Just like the infamous "MARTHA" moment in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", this confrontation shows the pitfalls of not communicating.