“Gladiator II “ (2024) is a historical epic directed by Ridley Scott, serving as a sequel to the 2000 film “Gladiator.” The story follows Lucius Verus Aurelius (played by Paul Mescal), the son of Lucilla and nephew of Emperor Commodus. Living under the alias “Hanno” in Numidia, Lucius’s life is upended when Roman forces, led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), invade.