- Wednesday, February 05, 2025
Nielsen originally took on the role of Lucilla, the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, in “Gladiator”. She plays the same character in the sequel
By: India Weekly
CONNIE NIELSEN, who first portrayed Lucilla in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator”, discusses her experience reprising the role over two decades later.
At 59, the Danish actor feels she can now embody Lucilla’s complex layers with greater depth. When the filmmakers presented the sequel, they assured her: “Connie will be happy.”
“I knew it was going to be good,” Nielsen said in an interview with PTI. “The way they wrote Lucilla and put her into situations that are unimaginable and crazy, and at the same time, grand, it was a great setup for her.”
Nielsen originally took on the role of Lucilla, the daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, in “Gladiator”, where Lucilla and the Roman general Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, ally against her brother, the tyrant Commodus. In the sequel, Lucilla’s story continues two decades later as she protects her son, Lucius, fathered by Maximus.
Reflecting on her Hollywood beginnings, Nielsen recalled her first major film role in 1997 “The Devil’s Advocate”, followed by “Gladiator”. “It was my first big movie, and I threw everything that I could,” she said. “This time, I felt like I was able to play at more levels… I just know more.”
Nielsen further prepared for her return to ancient Rome by referencing “Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic”, Tom Holland’s book on Roman history. She explained how this helped her understand Lucilla’s environment, adding depth to her portrayal of a character balancing maternal instincts with her duty to Rome.
Looking at Lucilla’s enduring appeal, Nielsen noted how audiences connect with her character. “You just feel that people feel the experience of Lucilla very strongly. I also think they equate the ideas of both films to the political situations that we’re dealing with on a global level.”
“Gladiator II”, also featuring Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Derek Jacobi, will be released in India by Paramount Pictures India in multiple languages on Friday
