Episode Details

WARNING! This post and episode both contain spoilers!

In case you somehow missed it, the hotly anticipated sequel to Gladiator (2000) hit the cinemas in November 2024. Gladiator II follows the story of Lucius Verus, the child of Lucilla and the hero from the first film, Maximus. Nope, we did not know that was a thing either.

Poster for Gladiator II, Source: https://deadline.com

After being separated from his imperial family following the death of his uncle (the Emperor Commodus), the adult Lucius ends up in the arena. His owner is Macrinus, an actual historical figure who served as emperor briefly in the third century CE. The film follows Macrinus and Lucius as they navigate the complicated political world of Rome under the Emperors Caracalla and Geta. Will Lucius be able to rid Rome of corruption, once and for all? (Dramatic music)   

Joining us today to discuss the film is the delightful Lindsay Steenberg.

Special Episode – Gladiator II with Dr Lindsay Steenberg

Dr Lindsay Steenberg is currently a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at Oxford Brookes University where she co-ordinates the graduate programme in Popular Cinema. Her research interests are violence and gender in postmodern and postfeminist media culture. If you like true crime, you should definitely check out her back catalogue. Whilst Dr Steenberg has published widely and regularly presents at conferences, our particular point of connection is her interest in gladiators.  She is the author Are you not entertained? Mapping the Gladiator Across Visual Media, which was published by Bloomsbury in 2020.

We hope that you enjoy our conversation as we unpack:

• Arena action scenes
• The naumachia scene from Gladiator II
• Macrinus’ role in this film
• Gladiators and celebrity
• Historical inaccuracy on screen
• Our vision for Gladiator III: Tokyo Drift

Sound Credits

Our music is by Bettina Joy de Guzman.

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