Is Denzel Washington considering retirement? Maybe so. Yes, he’s got “Gladiator II” coming out this November, a Spike Lee-directed remake of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low” in the can, and an epic re-teaming with frequent collaborator Antoine Fuqua on the horizon, but in a recent interview with Empire, the Academy Award-winning actor and occasional writer/director hinted that his career may be winding down, but it’s filmmakers like Ridley Scott that keep him interested.
“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, referencing his experience on “Gladiator II.”
Washington shared that his previous experience working with Scott on “American Gangster” helped persuade him to take on the role of Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer in “Gladiator II” who “wants to be Emperor and is willing to do anything to get there.”
“We had a great go-round the first go-round [on ‘American Gangster’], and here we are,” said Washington of joining Scott’s massive production. “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.”
In addition to working with Ridley, Washington also frequently collaborated with his brother, the late Tony Scott, on films like “Crimson Tide,” “Man on Fire,” and “Unstoppable.” When asked to compare the brothers earlier in the interview, Washington said, “I don’t compare directors. You see the different personalities. I suppose they do [have similarities]. On the days when we’re shooting, I’m busy with what I’m doing. So I’m not comparing this one to that one, but obviously both are great filmmakers. They can’t miss.”
Though Washington may be spending less time in front of the camera, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s done with filmmaking entirely. As well as having “Gladiator II” release this November, he also produced his son Malcolm’s directorial debut, an adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” which drops on Netflix the same day. Washington’s eldest son, John David, also stars in the film.
In speaking on being directed by his brother, John David said in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, “It didn’t feel like working with my brother. It felt more like working with the filmmaker that I’ve been a fan of for years.”
“Gladiator II” is in theaters on November 22.
