Lucilla is an important political figure in Rome in both Gladiator and Gladiator II, and she tried to execute the exact same plan to overthrow the Emperors in both films. As the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, one of the most influential figures in Roman history, Lucilla had a lot of sway over Roman leaders. However, she could never control the power-hungry Emperors in Gladiator and its sequel. Therefore, she enacted plans to overthrow Commodus in the first film, then Emperors Geta and Caracalla in Gladiator II.

There are many similarities between both Gladiator movies. Several characters in Gladiator II follow similar arcs and mirror iconic figures from the first film, such as Lucius and Acacius mirroring Maximus, and Geta and Caracalla ruling in a similar fashion as Commodus. Since Geta and Caracalla were deranged and unpredictable, just like her late brother, Lucilla planned to overthrow them. However, this plan did not work out for her, since Lucilla tragically died at the end of Gladiator II.

Along with Lucilla, Gracchus is another character from the first film who returns in Gladiator II. Gracchus was an influential Roman senator, and served as an ally for Lucilla in both Gladiator movies. In the first Gladiator film and Gladiator II, Lucilla works with Gracchus and other Roman senators who are against the Emperors. The rebellion in the first film was more personal for Lucilla, since Emperor Commodus was her brother, and had killed their father to take control of Rome.