Denzel Washington, the Academy Award-winning actor, recently hinted that he might be nearing retirement from acting.
However, he was persuaded by his old friend, director Ridley Scott, to take on one more role in the upcoming movie Gladiator II, which is set to hit theaters on November 22. Denzel shared that working on the film deeply inspired him, making this a special performance in what could be one of his final appearances on screen.
“There aren’t many films left that catch my interest, so I need to feel inspired by the director,” Denzel Washington explained in an interview with Empire. “Ridley Scott truly inspired me,” he added, referring to their last collaboration on the 2007 film American Gangster.
“We had an amazing time working together the first time, and now we’re back at it,” Washington shared. “Ridley Scott is full of energy, excited about life, and ready for his next movie. He’s truly inspiring,” he added. “We should all hope to feel that way at 86.”
Scott described the long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning 2000 film as “the best thing I’ve ever made,” then quickly added, “One of the best. I’ve made a few good ones… it’s packed with intense and brutal action.”
In Gladiator II, Paul Mescal plays Lucius, who steps into the Coliseum years after witnessing Maximus (played by Russell Crowe in the original) die at the hands of his uncle, Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
Denzel Washington, who first appeared on screen more than 40 years ago, has since expanded his career to include directing and producing films like Antwone Fisher (2002), The Great Debaters (2007), Fences (2016), and A Journal for Jordan (2021).
In June, at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida, Washington hinted that he might retire from acting soon.
“What I’m doing behind the camera is just as important to me now as acting,” Washington said. “I think I’ll be spending less and less time in front of the camera.”
Source: Deadline
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