The latest trailer for Gladiator II was finally dropped on Monday, revealing a significant plot twist. The character of Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) is revealed to be the son of Maximus (portrayed by Russell Crowe in the original 2000 film),

Paul Mescal, who plays a grown-up Lucius in the sequel, shares his reaction to the twist: "Holy s---." Like father, like son.

The latest trailer for Gladiator 2 confirms a bombshell fan theory about Paul Mescal ’s character. The Normal People star, 28, is in the lead role in Sir Ridley Scott ’s long-awaited follow-up feature, with Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington also in the cast.

A new trailer for the long awaited Gladiator 2 has dropped, and a huge connection to the first film has been made. It was one of the defining films of the 2000s, as Gladiator (2000), starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen among others, set a precedent for historical titles.

Paul Mescal will play Lucius, son of Lucilla and the nephew of Gladiator antagonist Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. For the uninitiated, Gladiator star Russell Crowe played Maximus, who saves Lucilla and Lucius' lives in the original film.

The second Gladiator II trailer comes with a huge reveal about the paternity of Lucius (played by Paul Mescal). Warning: Spoilers for Gladiator II are below. The newly released trailer reveals that Mescal’s character is actually the son of Maximus (played by Russell Crowe in the first film),

After a Gladiator 2 trailer dropped a major reveal about Lucius relationship to Maximus, actor Paul Mescal now explains this surprise development.