It has been 24 years since Ridley Scott gave the world a glimpse of the Roman Empire in Gladiator. The film over the years has attained cult status and is lauded by one and all.&nbsp;Over two decades later, Scott comes&nbsp;back to the big screen with a sequel, Gladiator II, which features an impressive cast, including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.&nbsp; 
 
The first one too was equally star-studded. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix were both Oscar-nominated for their roles – with the former going on to win – and the film also featured memorable turns from two of the finest thespians ever to appear on screen, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed. 
 
Ahead of the release of Gladiator II, here's a brief recap of Gladiator so that we are all up to date with the world that Scott has created.&nbsp;

Recap of Gladiator 
 
The first film opens in the year 180 AD, where Russell Crowe's Maximus is a respected, successful and immensely popular Roman general who commanded respect from the Roman army and won battles for Rome.&nbsp; 
 
The narrative of Gladiator was straightforward and focused on Crowe's Maximus after he is demoted by the corrupt new Emperor Commodus (Phoenix). While Maximus was asked to take on the reigns of Rome by the previous emperor Marcus Aurelius, his greedy son Commodus took up the reigns after killing him.&nbsp; 
 
When Maximus refused to swear loyalty to Commodus, the new emperor had his wife and son murdered.&nbsp; 
 
Thus, Maximus's bloodthirsty quest to seek revenge and put Rome back on a just path is set in motion, with several memorable battle sequences in the Colosseum.&nbsp; 
 
Commodus decides to host 150 days of gladiatorial games, where Maximus as a slave is taken to participate.&nbsp; 
 
Wearing a masked helmet, he puts on a hugely impressive – and, of course, entertaining – display in his Colosseum debut, winning the support of both the crowd and Commodus – who had been unaware of his true identity. 
 
The emperor eventually gets to know of Maximus' true identity at the ring after the latter's win. Although Commodus clearly thinks of having him killed there and then, he decides not to due to the popularity Maximus has won from the crowd. 
 
Instead, he arranges a duel between Maximus and another powerful gladiator - hoping that Maximus is killed in the duel. But Maximus wins which further boosts his popularity with the crowd, who nickname him Maximus the Merciful. 
 
Commodus eventually challenges Maximus to a duel in the Colosseum, convinced that he will win back public approval with a victory. Knowing that he is the underdog, he stabs Maximus ahead of the duel – but that is still not enough to give him the upper hand, and Maximus wins the fight before killing the emperor.

Unfortunately, despite his success, Maximus too succumbs to his wounds – but not before he demands political reforms in Rome.&nbsp;

How are Gladiator and Gladiator II&nbsp;connected?

Gladiator II is set some 16 years after the events of the original, and there are key ways in which the two films are linked.&nbsp;Paul Mescal plays Lucius—Commodus' sister Lucilla's son. While some reports state that Lucius is not related to Maximus, there are other reports that state he is actually Maximus's son.&nbsp; 
 
That creates an obvious link between the two films, and indeed there are many references – not to mention flashbacks – to Maximus and his mission to restore the Roman Republic.

Much of the film is therefore centered around the idea of returning to the dream of Rome put forward by both Maximus and Marcus Aurelius in the first film.

Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II is releasing in theatres on November 15.&nbsp;

It has been 24 years since Ridley Scott gave the world a glimpse of the Roman Empire in Gladiator. The film over the years has attained cult status and is lauded by one and all.

It has been 24 years since Ridley Scott gave the world a glimpse of the Roman Empire in Gladiator. The film over the years has attained cult status and is lauded by one and all. Over two decades later, Scott comes back to the big screen with a sequel, Gladiator II, which features an impressive cast, including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. The first one too was equally star-studded. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix were both Oscar-nominated for their roles – with the former going on to win – and the film also featured memorable turns from two of the finest thespians ever to appear on screen, Richard Harris and Oliver Reed. Ahead of the release of Gladiator II, here's a brief recap of Gladiator so that we are all up to date with the world that Scott has created. Recap of Gladiator The first film opens in the year 180 AD, where Russell Crowe's Maximus is a respected, successful and immensely popular Roman general who commanded respect from the Roman army and won battles for Rome. The narrative of Gladiator was straightforward and focused on Crowe's Maximus after he is demoted by the corrupt new Emperor Commodus (Phoenix). While Maximus was asked to take on the reigns of Rome by the previous emperor Marcus Aurelius, his greedy son Commodus took up the reigns after killing him. When Maximus refused to swear loyalty to Commodus, the new emperor had his wife and son murdered. Thus, Maximus's bloodthirsty quest to seek revenge and put Rome back on a just path is set in motion, with several memorable battle sequences in the Colosseum. Commodus decides to host 150 days of gladiatorial games, where Maximus as a slave is taken to participate. Wearing a masked helmet, he puts on a hugely impressive – and, of course, entertaining – display in his Colosseum debut, winning the support of both the crowd and Commodus – who had been unaware of his true identity. The emperor eventually gets to know of Maximus' true identity at the ring after the latter's win. Although Commodus clearly thinks of having him killed there and then, he decides not to due to the popularity Maximus has won from the crowd. Instead, he arranges a duel between Maximus and another powerful gladiator - hoping that Maximus is killed in the duel. But Maximus wins which further boosts his popularity with the crowd, who nickname him Maximus the Merciful. Commodus eventually challenges Maximus to a duel in the Colosseum, convinced that he will win back public approval with a victory. Knowing that he is the underdog, he stabs Maximus ahead of the duel – but that is still not enough to give him the upper hand, and Maximus wins the fight before killing the emperor. Unfortunately, despite his success, Maximus too succumbs to his wounds – but not before he demands political reforms in Rome. How are Gladiator and Gladiator II connected? Gladiator II is set some 16 years after the events of the original, and there are key ways in which the two films are linked. Paul Mescal plays Lucius—Commodus' sister Lucilla's son. While some reports state that Lucius is not related to Maximus, there are other reports that state he is actually Maximus's son. That creates an obvious link between the two films, and indeed there are many references – not to mention flashbacks – to Maximus and his mission to restore the Roman Republic. Much of the film is therefore centered around the idea of returning to the dream of Rome put forward by both Maximus and Marcus Aurelius in the first film. Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II is releasing in theatres on November 15.

Ahead of Gladiator II release, a brief recap of Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix starrer Gladiator

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Ahead of Gladiator II release, a brief recap of Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix starrer Gladiator