Exploring Russell Crowe's involvement in Gladiator II: Is Maximus back?

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Warning - this article contains spoilers for Gladiator II. Gladiator II continues the grand tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius' (played by Russell Crowe) son Lucius (Paul Mescal), tracing his journey from being the former heir to the Roman Empire to a captive warrior seeking revenge.

Born to Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius was sent away following the events of the original 2000 film, living with his wife in Numidia, a Roman province in North Africa.

Upon his capture by the Roman army, he forms an unstable alliance with the ambitious gladiator master Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to devise a plan to overthrow Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), a troubled general serving under co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).

However, before reuniting with his mother and uncovering his true destiny, Lucius must first survive the dangers of the Colosseum, reports the Mirror.