By Olivia B. Waxman November 22, 2024 2:21 PM EST O ne of the most intriguing characters in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II , the sequel to Gladiator (2000) out Nov. 22, is Macrinus, a Black businessman raising an army of gladiators, played by Denzel Washington . “To amuse you is my only wish,” Macrinus says early on in the film to the joint emperors Caracalla and Geta , played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, respectively. In the movie, Macrinus buys Lucius ( Paul Mescal ), who was brought to