Denzel Washington Teases His Soulless ‘Gladiator 2’ Character’s Backstory

in Gladiator IIdirector ridley scott Meet the two-time Oscar winner denzel washington In the film, he appears in the world of ancient Rome as Macrinus, a scheming arms dealer with great wealth and power. His character is a cunning businessman with his eyes on the crown, supplying the Roman army with supplies and working closely with Emperor Geta.joseph quinn) and paracalla (fred hechinger).

star of sequel paul mescal Lucius was a man who lost his life to the Roman army led by General Marcus Acacius.Pedro Pascal), captured his city. Lucius is forced into slavery and raised by Macrinus to fight as a gladiator in the Colosseum. In the belly of the Roman beast, Lucius discovers his lineage from his mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) is inspired by. Russell Crowemaximus

Before the film hits theaters on November 22, Collider’s steve weintraub We interviewed Washington about reuniting with Scott after collaborating on . american gangster. They discuss the filmmaker’s directing style on set, Washington’s own turn in the director’s chair, and his son. Malcolm Washington‘s upcoming feature directorial debut, piano lessons. Additionally, Washington talks about creating his own history for Macrinus off-script, teasing that his character is not one to let his guard down.

Denzel Washington doesn’t care about Stanley Kubrick

“If you came out of a Kubrick movie, I’d be outside trying to rob you.”

COLLIDER: First of all, congratulations on completing the movie. That’s so great and you’re amazing.

Denzel Washington: Thank you.

I like to throw a curveball at the beginning of interviews, so I decided to wear a Kubrick shirt to ask everyone if they had a favorite Kubrick movie.

Washington: I’m not a movie buff. I’m not a big movie fan. I was on the street when he was making the movie. Is it from the 70’s? Yeah, if you came out of a Kubrick movie, I’d be the guy outside trying to rob you. [Laughs] I mean, I was never a real movie fan. I started acting when I was 20 years old, and I actually started going to movies when I was 20, 22, 23. That’s not true. When I was a teenager, I went to see movies like shaft and super fly.

Completely. Well, I might have landed on my feet.

Washington: It worked.

related

Denzel Washington wins first Oscar in star-studded war drama

Washington starred Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, and Andre Braugher.

I know that you are very careful with your choices and I also know that you are bound to be offered some of the best scripts in town. Was there any discussion about Gladiator II With Ridley? You’ve worked with him before, was it an easy decision?

Washington: It’s that simple. Ridley Scott is one of the greatest directors of all time, and he and I had great success together. I don’t even remember if he called me first or my agent called me first, but we talked about it. I’ll be there. “

When you look back at the filming process, you wonder which shots or sequences were the most difficult to pull off because of camera movement, or… There’s actually a million cameras.

WASHINGTON: There are a million cameras.

Ridley Scott’s style allows freedom for the cast on set

What am I saying? But were there any shots or sequences that were more difficult than others?

Washington: No. because There were a million cameras. Maybe it was for Paul, but no, there were cameras everywhere. That freed you up because you had no idea where they were.. Especially when we were at the Colosseum, he was doing a lot of long lens shots, but from what I remember they didn’t affect my face much. And there aren’t that many takes. There are some takes out of there.

I heard about Ridley that even though he thinks he’s filming all day, he’s done by 11 o’clock.

Washington: I don’t know anything. that. [Laughs] What day was it? 11 o’clock at night?

[Laughs] So maybe you’re thinking of shooting until 1 o’clock, finishing at 11 o’clock, and moving on to the next thing. He moves quickly.

Washington: Yeah, I like that. I like it.

You’ve directed many movies. Interested in overseeing something of this scale?

Washington: Oh, no. You won’t know what to do. My son Malcolm is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and an AFI (American Film Institute) graduate. Watching him work taught me the difference between being a film maker and being a filmmaker. Ridley Scott is a great film director. There’s no way I could do what he did. no way.

related

The surprising story behind Denzel Washington’s directorial debut

The Oscar winner was deeply moved by this moving true story.

Denzel Washington develops his own ‘Gladiator II’ backstory

In the movie, you’re asked about your backstory, but you don’t actually reveal much. How much of your backstory did you come up with?

Washington: Almost everything. Let’s start with the documentation. What’s not on the page isn’t on the stage. but I was given the freedom to grow my mind, heart and soul — What’s left? [laughs] –What was my past? And what I say you Or, more likely than not, the character was trying to control you, take something from you, and use you.

Gladiator II It will be released in theaters in the US on November 22nd.

After his homeland is conquered by the oppressive emperor who now leads Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look into his past to find the strength to restore Rome’s glory to his people.

cast

Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, Mae Karamawy, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Alexander Karim, Tim McInerney, Lee… Charles, Chidi Ajufo, Alfie Tempest, Liana Duce, Chi Louis-Parry, Paul Canderent, Hadrian Howard, Alexander Simkin, Mikhail Basmajian, Matthew Charlie-Smith, Maxime Durand, Lior Raz

writer

David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni

distributor

paramount movies

expand

get tickets