The story of Gladiator II takes place years after the first film, but the movie still honors what came before it every chance it gets. In Gladiator II, Paul Mescal plays Lucius, the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was portrayed by Russell Crowe in the first film. In addition to Mescal, the cast of Gladiator II includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger. In the movie, Lucius is seeking revenge against all the aforementioned actors’ characters, an arc that resembles Maximus’ in the first Gladiator film.

https://screenrant.com/gladiator-2-hidden-burial-site-explained/