Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 is missing a vital member of the cast that made the first film such a tremendous success. Djimon Hounsou’s character, Juba, played a pivotal role in the first film, and reports from last year speculated that he’d return. Unfortunately, it’s since been confirmed that Hounsou won’t be in the sequel after all. It would seem that Juba will be among a collection of characters Gladiator 2 won’t be bringing back.
In the first film, Russel Crowe’s character, Maximus, is kidnapped in his sleep and sold as a Gladiator. Maximus (Crowe) meets Juba (Hounsou), who cares for his wounds. The loyalty between the brothers in arms grows throughout the film. At the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies from his wounds by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), and Juba speaks the film’s final lines. It’s unclear exactly how Juba would have played a part in the film, but there was likely a way for him to fit into the big picture.
Djimon Hounsou Was Originally Supposed To Return As Juba In Gladiator
It Is Unknown What Juba’s Role Would Have Been
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Last year, during a BroBible podcast, it was revealed that Hounsou was set to return as the character. Unfortunately, for reasons unclear, the return of one of the many great characters from the first Gladiator is not on the table. For Hounsou, his comments likely mean there was a plan for his character in the sequel. As for what that plan was, the specifics remain unclear.
“Honestly, no. And this was a pure accident in the way it unfolded. I was going to be part of it.”
Juba is a significant character in Maximus’ journey because he reinvigorates Maximus’ spirit when he is at his lowest point. As Maximus’ cause for living (his soldiers and his family) was taken away, Juba renewed his focus. Juba’s motivation to reunite with his family was a catalyst for Maximus. Juba kept Maximus’ attention on staying alive. He stated in one scene that Maximus would see them again but that his time had not yet come.
Scheduling Conflicts May Have Kept Djimon Hounsou From Returning For Gladiator 2
That Being The case Indicates The Sequel’s Story Was Going To Involve Juba
Custom Image by Dabanjan Chowdhury.
When explaining why he would not appear in the Gladiator sequel, Hounsou said that “circumstances dictated it.” When talking about his absence, his busy schedule around the same time seems to be the most likely reason he could not be a part of the sequel. If that is the case, Hounsou could not participate in filming for Gladiator 2, which took place between June 2023 and wrapped up in January 2024. It seems that after Rebel Moon, parts one and two (filmed back to back until late 2022), Hounsou could not find the time for Gladiator 2.
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Djimon Hounsou has multiple projects that are coming out in 2025 that could have led to this schedule conflict. These include Alex Parkinson’s survival thriller remake of a 2019 documentary called Last Breath. Another project that could have contributed is a science-fiction thriller called Beneath The Storm. The Zealot is another project in which Hounsou plays a Somali-American airport shuttle driver, although this did not likely contribute as filming has only begun this year.
How Djimon Hounsou’s Juba Could Have Factored Into Gladiator 2
He Could Have A Significant Impact In A Limited Scope
In the final scene of Gladiator, Juba honors Maximus’s final request. He buries two little figurines of Maximus’ wife and child in the area where he died at the Colosseum. He has a smile on his face, knowing that he is now a free man due to Maximus’ sacrifice. It is foreshadowed that Juba will reunite with his wife and child from his homeland. From what we know of Juba’s story and the story of Gladiator 2, it seems likely that Juba would have played a specific role in the sequel.
“I will see you again, but not yet. Not yet.” Juba’s final line in Gladiator
In Gladiator 2, Paul Mescal plays an adult Lucius around two decades into the future. He becomes a gladiator after his family is killed in a story that echoes Maximus’ arc. Juba would very likely have been a mentor figure for Lucius as he entered the gladiator world, trying to emulate the greatness that was Maximus. It would make sense for Juba to help Lucius if he sought out his help. However, as significant of a character as Juba is, it feels right that he does not get involved and lives happily with his family for the rest of his life.
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With a few exceptions, Gladiator 2 features new cast and characters unrelated to the first movie. The exceptions in this regard are Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus. Djimon Hounson not being able to return for the sequel is disappointing. The character of Juba is an incredibly loyal and loving friend to Maximus who offers some reflections on their experiences. It would have been interesting to see him as a mentor figure for Lucius, but the way his story left off in the first movie is still very satisfying and heartwarming.
Source: BroBible