Denzel Washington shared why he joined Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’ in a new interview with Empire. His explanation hinted at a possible retirement in the near future.
“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,” the actor noted. “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on ‘American Gangster’], and here we are.”
Washington didn’t mention how many more films he planned to make but is sure to appear on screen soon alongside Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen.
The Macrinus actor said of his wealthy arms dealer character, “[He] wants to be emperor, and he’s willing to do anything to get there.”
‘Gladiator II’ will take place 20 years after the original 2000 film, which starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. It will follow Lucius falling into slavery and fighting as a gladiator for Macrinus who opposes young emperors Caracalla and Geta’s rule.
The sequel waits for release in the US and Canada on November 22.
