In the highly anticipated “Gladiator II”, director Ridley Scott and his creative team have delved into the backstory and motivations of the character Macrinus, played by Denzel Washington. Macrinus, a former slave and gladiator, has now risen to become a powerful figure in Ancient Rome, a power broker and arms dealer with significant influence.
He has his sights set on manipulating various characters in “Gladiator II”, from Lucius Verus Aurelius (Paul Mescal) to Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), all in pursuit of his ambition to rule Rome.
During an interview, Scott shed light on Macrinus’ past. He revealed that Macrinus was once a prisoner of war who “earned his way out as a good gladiator” and subsequently obtained his freedom by “getting a job as a supplier to the armies of Rome”.
Cinematographer John Mathieson further elaborated on how Macrinus’ visual appearance and personality are intertwined with this backstory. He described Macrinus as “remarkable looking. He’s very bling, flamboyant and he’s robed, and he’s obviously not from Rome, but he has done very well. He’s deeply mischievous, treacherous, and you feel that. He is incredibly polite and kind, even to those who owe him money.”
Production designer Arthur Max added to the understanding by highlighting two animal motifs used to symbolize Macrinus’ character. He said, “He comes from the polytheistic pagan world of ancient Rome, which he’s a part of, they adopted gods from the animal world. We decided to give him two motifs and distributed those throughout his universe; one was the wolf and the other one was the snake.”
Scott also shared some of Macrinus’ strategic thinking, stating, “The throne is becoming, ultimately, very practical. His plan might have been, ‘I will wait until one of the twins dies, I can’t do anything else because otherwise it’d be too obvious,’ but then things start to form as possibility.”
What This Means for “Gladiator II”
Macrinus: The Standout of the Sequel
Scott and his team have emphasized Macrinus’ clever, ambitious, and adaptable nature. Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Macrinus is arguably the best aspect of “Gladiator II” and serves as a key differentiator from the original film. While there are similarities between some characters in “Gladiator II” and those in the first movie, such as Lucius being somewhat like Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), and Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla bearing resemblances to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Macrinus stands out.
Although initially, Macrinus may seem to echo Gladiator’s Antonius Proximo (Oliver Reed), these parallels quickly fade as he emerges as the overarching villain of the sequel. His aspiration to rule Rome and his ability to adapt seamlessly are rooted in his past as a former slave and gladiator. Despite his rise in Roman society, Macrinus never forgets his past and remains resolute in his determination to topple the Roman establishment.
Macrinus’ Backstory and Motivations
Elevating the Entire Film
“Gladiator II” truly shines when it focuses on Macrinus and his devious schemes. His character takes the sequel beyond mere action spectacle as he skillfully manipulates Emperor Geta, Emperor Caracalla, and the entire Roman political system. In the film’s conclusion, Macrinus’ plotting, including his willingness to engage in combat and his act of killing Lucius’ mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), makes him a fitting final villain for Lucius to overcome. The development and culmination of Macrinus’ story would not have been as effective without the crucial backstory provided in “Gladiator II”.
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