The scene is rooted in real-life naval battles that began during Julius Caesar's reign in Rome. Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II" takes a few creative liberties and diverges from history to up the ante for audiences. "Gladiator II" is set 15 years after Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius died in the Colosseum in the 2000 movie "Gladiator." Staged naval battles really did happen in RomeA naval battle taking place at the Colosseum in "Gladiator II." AdvertisementThe sharks featured in "Gladiator II" are most likely an addition from Scott, who tends to include animals in his movies.

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Persons: Julius Caesar's, Ridley Scott's, Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius, Geta, Joseph Quinn, Caracalla, Fred Hechinger, Paul Mescal, Maximus, Connie Nielsen, Lucius, Neil Corbould, Alison Futrell, Futrell, Emperor Claudius, Scott Organizations: Paramount, National Geographic, University of Arizona Locations: Rome, Denver , Colorado