Many people have pointed out similarities between Joseph Quinn’s take on Emperor Geta and Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, and believe that the newly cast Johnny Storm for the MCU is the main villain in the upcoming Ridley Scott epic. But what if we tell you that Quinn is not the ultimate bad guy in the movie? The main villain in Gladiator 2 may turn out to be Fred Hechinger’s Caracalla, a former Roman emperor who shared the throne briefly with his brother Geta.
The history between Geta and Caracalla is quite intricate and brutal. Both were sons of Emperor Septimius Severus, who usurped the Roman throne in 193 AD and appointed Caracalla (who was just 10 at that time) as a co-ruler. Upon Severus’ demise in 209 AD, Geta was declared co-emperor with Caracalla.
However, things took a dramatic turn after the power-hungry Caracalla started feeling jealous of his younger brother. He couldn’t tolerate sharing the throne. Caracalla, driven by ambition, saw Geta as an obstacle to his absolute power. According to some history books, Caracalla meticulously planned Geta’s murder. The event took place during a supposed reconciliation meeting. As the brothers were embracing, Caracalla’s bodyguards burst in and stabbed Geta to death. This brutal act shocked Rome and solidified Caracalla’s position as sole emperor.
This event could serve as a perfect shocking twist in Gladiator 2, especially for those viewers who believe that Joseph Quinn’s character is the main villain. Caracalla’s betrayal looks a bit similar to what Commodus did to his father Marcus Aurelius. Both Caracalla and Commodus were jealous and power-hungry individuals who wanted to use power for their pleasures. This scenario also makes things difficult for Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus, who will be seen going against both Geta and Caracalla in the upcoming sequel, which is set to arrive in theatres worldwide on November 22, 2024. Stay tuned for more updates.