Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, has hinted at a possible nearing retirement, revealing that there are “very few films” left that interest him. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine to promote his role in Ridley Scott’s upcoming Gladiator II, the 69-year-old actor shared that his future projects would be selective, driven by the inspiration he gets from filmmakers.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” Washington said, reflecting on his decision to join the sequel to Scott’s 2000 epic Gladiator. The two previously collaborated on 2007’s American Gangster, and Washington expressed admiration for Scott’s enduring passion for filmmaking at the age of 86, calling him an “inspiration.”
In Gladiator II, Washington takes on the role of Macrinus, a powerful and ambitious figure in ancient Rome. He joins a cast that includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. The film, which continues the story of the original Gladiator, centers on Lucius, the son of Lucilla and nephew of Commodus, as he returns to Rome to face new challenges.
While Washington has not officially announced retirement, his comments suggest he is increasingly selective about the roles he takes on. Aside from Gladiator II, Washington has a few upcoming projects, including a crime thriller titled High and Low and an untitled film with Training Day director Antoine Fuqua. He is also set to return to Broadway in 2025 for a production of Othello alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
As anticipation builds for Gladiator II, Scott has praised the sequel, describing it as “as good as the first one.” The film is slated for release on November 22, 2024, and could mark one of Washington’s final appearances on the big screen.
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