Denzel Washington Opens Up About His Character in Gladiator II: “A New Experience for Me”
Denzel Washington will be starring alongside Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal in the upcoming movie, Gladiator II. Washington discusses his role as Macrinus and how it contributes to the movie’s storyline.
In an interview, Washington mentioned that Macrinus will return to Rome, reprising his role from the previous film where he acted with Joaquin Phoenix.
Describing his character in Gladiator II, Washington revealed, “He’s trying to use everybody. He’d use his mother; he’d use his own children; he’s already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. He’s in bed with the devil.”
The actor continued, “When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play, it was fun; just put the gear on, put the dress on and go—that’s the way I look at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings and I’m going crazy.”
Mescal, who plays a lead character in the movie, also shared his thoughts on his role. He described his character of Lucius as someone who would scrape his way to survival.
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Mescal emphasized the importance of the movie to him, as a sequel to a film that was released 24 years ago. He believes maintaining the level and elements of the original movie can be a challenging task.
Speaking highly of Ridley Scott, Mescal stated, “I think it’s made by the only man who could ever touch it, in Ridley Scott, and personally, as his friend and his long admirer, I think it’s one of his finest pieces of work that I’ve seen in recent times.”
He expressed his pride in the work done by everyone involved in the movie and looked forward to its release.
Gladiator II is scheduled to premiere on November 15.
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