Denzel Washington Hints at Potential Retirement

Denzel Washington has sparked rumors about his future in the film industry, hinting at a potential retirement following the release of the eagerly awaited Gladiator II this November 22.

In an interview with Empire, the Oscar-winning actor, aged 69, reflected on his distinguished career and the diminishing number of films that intrigue him. “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, referring to his collaboration with director Ridley Scott on Gladiator II.

His comments have sparked discussions about his career direction, especially since he typically avoids mainstream blockbusters and superhero franchises. Washington has always been selective about his roles, a characteristic that defines his career, with the Equalizer series being a notable exception.

Despite the retirement rumors, Washington’s immediate future is packed with high-profile projects. In addition to Gladiator II, he has completed work on a Spike Lee-directed remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low and is set to reunite with frequent collaborator Antoine Fuqua for an upcoming epic, according to IndieWire.

Washington’s respect for Scott, now 86, seems to significantly influence his continued involvement in the film industry. Reflecting on their collaboration to Empire, Washington praised Scott’s enduring passion: “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.”

Washington’s history with Ridley Scott and his late brother, filmmaker Tony Scott, runs deep. Their prior collaboration on American Gangster in 2007 set the stage for their current partnership on Gladiator II. Washington nostalgically recalled, “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on ‘American Gangster’], and here we are.”

When asked to compare the directorial styles of the Scott brothers, Washington tactfully dodged the question. “I don’t compare directors,” he said. “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.”

In Gladiator II, Washington portrays Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer with imperial ambitions. The film is set two decades after the events of the original 2000 blockbuster and revolves around Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, with Pedro Pascal joining the cast as Marcus Acacius.

Ridley Scott has teased the grand scale of the sequel, promising audiences an epic spectacle. “We begin the film with probably the biggest action sequence I’ve ever done,” Scott told Empire in July. “Probably bigger than anything in ‘Napoleon.'”

Washington’s potential retirement does not mean his complete withdrawal from the film industry. Beyond acting, he recently produced his son Malcolm’s directorial debut, an adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, set to premiere on Netflix. The film also stars Washington’s eldest son, John David Washington.