The new Gladiator 2 trailer confirms major fan theory about Lucius

Gladiator 2's new trailer has arrived and it's come with a major reveal that confirms a long-running fan theory.

The trailer shows Lucilla (Connie Neilsen) talking to her son Lucius (Paul Mescal) before a battle in the Colosseum. "Lucius, take your father's strength. His name was Maximus and I see him in you," she tells him.

The first trailer already had hints that Lucius was the son of Maximus, as we saw Lucilla give him Maximus's ring. We also saw Lucius admiring his father's armour (a shot that's repeated in this trailer).

It's unclear yet whether this is the moment Lucius learns that Maximus is his father, but we'll find the full context when the eagerly-awaited sequel arrives in November.

Gladiator 2 is releasing in New Zealand cinemas on 14 November 2024.