Denzel Washington played the role of the villain and the Roman emperor, Macrinus. An expert claimed that the character was inspired by real Roman history. Scroll down to read the details.

Ridley Scott, the director of "Gladiator II," said during an interview that Denzel Washington's character in the movie, Marcinus, was similar to President-elect Trump. "[Macrinus] was a prisoner of war — probably at a North African state — and actually was taken to Rome probably as a gladiator.