A deleted scene from Gladiator 2 delves deeper into the reasons behind Lucilla not searching for Lucius after the events of the first film. Rather than the life of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Gladiator 2‘s cast of characters is helmed by Lucius Verus, the young boy played by Spencer Treat Clark in the first movie. Gladiator 2‘s Lucius is played by Paul Mescal, with the story detailing his life after Maximus’ death, his rise through the gladiatorial arena, and the fulfillment of his destiny as the true prince of Rome.

By the time of Gladiator 2‘s ending, Lucius takes his rightful place at the top of Rome’s political pyramid in an attempt to enact Marcus Aurelius’ Dream of Rome. That said, the film does not place much focus on the reason why Lucius was allowed to remain hidden in Numidia for decades between Gladiator and Gladiator 2. The latter film, in its theatrical cut, does not detail why Lucilla – who conceived Lucius with Gladiator‘s Maximus – never searched for Lucius after his exile. However, Gladiator 2‘s deleted scenes address this mysterious plot point.

A Flashback Scene Cut From Gladiator 2 Explains Why Lucilla Thought Lucius Was ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

Lucilla Had Reason To Believe Her Son Would Never Return

In the special features of Gladiator 2‘s digital release, a deleted scene explains why Lucilla never searched for Lucius. One such scene is set shortly after the events of Gladiator‘s emotional ending, 14 years before the story of Gladiator 2 takes place. In the scene, Lucilla is shown being led to the crypts beneath the Roman Colosseum where she finds a charred corpse and believes it to be Lucius.

This explains why Lucilla did not send out anyone faithful to her to find Lucius between the events of the film. In her mind, Lucius had been caught fleeing Rome, killed, and burned, explaining the depiction of her life as it is in Gladiator 2. Unbeknownst to Lucilla, Lucius escaped to Numidia, setting forth the events of the long-awaited sequel.

How Lucius Ended Up In Numidia As Hanno After The Events Of The First Gladiator Movie

Lucius’ Journey Explained

One of the flashbacks found in Gladiator 2‘s theatrical cut shows Lucius’ first attempts to flee Rome after Maximus’ death. The scene shows Lucilla and Lucius’ tearful goodbye, with the former explaining how the latter’s life will be endangered as the prince of Rome. Lucius is then depicted escaping the city on horseback.

Various flashback scenes follow Lucius’ journey through the Italian countryside before he comes to the northern coast of Africa. Now in Numidia, a key location of Gladiator 2‘s opening scenes, Lucius takes on the name of Hanno and is adopted by Jubartha. Jubartha trains Lucius in the art of combat before the latter meets Arishat, eventually taking her as his wife. Arishat’s death comes as Marcus Acacius invades Numidia in the name of Rome, kickstarting Gladiator 2‘s revenge story that leads to the reunion of Lucilla and Lucius.