How “Gladiator” Inspired “Game Of Thrones”

The Game of Thrones series is filled with incredibly written characters, political intrigue, and power struggles that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. One of the most iconic characters in this series is King Joffrey Baratheon, a young ruler known for his cruelty and arrogance. The actor behind this character, Jack Gleeson, has shared that he found inspiration in Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Commodus in the 2000 film Gladiator. This connection between Gladiator and Game of Thrones shows how certain themes, character traits, and even performances can reflect across different stories and media.

In Gladiator, Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, a Roman Emperor who is both insecure and power-hungry. Commodus craves the love and respect of his father, Marcus Aurelius, but when he doesn’t receive it, he murders his father and takes the throne for himself. Commodus is a deeply flawed character; he is arrogant and entitled, yet there is a vulnerability that makes his villainy more complex. Phoenix’s performance captures this duality, showing that Commodus’s cruelty stems from his deep-seated insecurities and desire for validation.

Jack Gleeson saw Phoenix’s portrayal as a blueprint for how he could approach the character of Joffrey in Game of Thrones. Like Commodus, Joffrey is born into power and believes it is his right to rule. He is arrogant, cruel, and seems to take pleasure in the suffering of others. However, beneath his tyrannical exterior, there is also a sense of insecurity and fear, particularly of losing his grip on power. Gleeson wanted to make sure that Joffrey was not just a one-dimensional villain, but a character whose cruelty had roots in his weaknesses and fears.

Both Gladiator and Game of Thrones explore how power can corrupt those who hold it. Commodus and Joffrey are both young rulers who inherit power rather than earn it, and this entitlement leads them down a dark path. In Gladiator, Commodus’s unchecked power allows him to indulge his worst impulses, leading to tyranny and eventually his downfall. Similarly, in Game of Thrones, Joffrey’s reign is marked by cruelty and a disregard for the lives of others, ultimately leading to his demise.

These themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked authority are central to the stories of both characters. By drawing inspiration from Commodus, Gleeson was able to dive into these themes and bring a similar feel to Joffrey. The idea that no one is free from how powerful corruption is sends an important message in both Gladiator and Game of Thrones, and it’s one that resonates with audiences.

One of the reasons Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Commodus is so memorable is because of the vulnerability he brings to the character. Commodus is not just a villain for the sake of being evil; he is a character driven by his insecurities and his desperate need for approval. This makes him more relatable and, in some ways, more tragic.

Jack Gleeson aimed to bring this same level of depth to Joffrey. While Joffrey is undoubtedly a villain, Gleeson wanted to show that his cruelty was not just a result of inherent evil, but also of his upbringing and the pressures of being a young king. By exploring Joffrey’s vulnerabilities, Gleeson added layers to the character that made him more than just a tyrant. This approach made Joffrey a more compelling and believable character, much like Phoenix’s Commodus.

The performances of both Joaquin Phoenix and Jack Gleeson demonstrate the importance of acting in bringing characters to life and shaping the narrative of a story. Phoenix’s portrayal of Commodus was pivotal in making Gladiator a compelling film, as it added emotional weight to the story. Similarly, Gleeson’s performance as Joffrey was crucial to the success of Game of Thrones, as it created one of the most memorable and hated characters in television history.

Both actors were able to take what could have been straightforward villain roles and turn them into something more nuanced and impactful. By drawing inspiration from Phoenix, Gleeson was able to create a character that not only served the story but also became a cultural icon in his own right.

Gladiator is a historical epic that draws on real events and figures from Roman history, while Game of Thrones is a fantasy series set in a fictional world. Despite these differences, both stories share a focus on the rise and fall of powerful figures and the human emotions that drive these events. The inspiration that Game of Thrones took from Gladiator is a testament to how stories, whether rooted in history or fantasy, can influence and enrich each other.

The grandeur and scope of Gladiator set a standard for how epic tales of power and betrayal could be told, and this influence is evident in Game of Thrones. The way in which characters like Commodus and Joffrey navigate their worlds, driven by their flaws and desires, shows how universal these themes are, whether in ancient Rome or the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.