Fans of Denzel Washington might be concerned that the actor is getting close to retiring after his recent remarks in an interview with Empire magazine. The Oscar winner discussed his motivation for participating in Ridley Scott’s forthcoming Gladiator 2, which takes place around 20 years after the first movie, in the course of the interview. Washington acknowledged to the magazine, “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. We had a great go-round the first go-round [on American Gangster], and here we are.”
Even though the late Tony Scott, the brother of the Gladiator filmmaker who passed away in 2012, was one of the Equalizer 3 star’s finest working relationships, he was nevertheless thrilled to work with Ridley Scott again, even if it had been years since the 2007 film American Gangster.
“Obviously, both are great filmmakers,” Washington continued. “They can’t miss.” Working together on Gladiator 2 has also reminded the Training Day actor of the energy Scott brings to the filming set. “He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration. We should all want to feel like that at 86.” Fans may at least anticipate seeing Washington in Gladiator 2, where he plays Macrinus, a wealthy armaments dealer who “wants to be emperor, and he’s willing to do anything to get there,” as the actor revealed. Washington did not, however, disclose the number of films he plans to appear in.
November 22 is when the sequel, that additionally features Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Paul Mescal, is scheduled to open in theatres.