Denzel Washington has declared his intention to step away from acting after unveiling one of the last roles he’ll take on.
The celebrated actor is part of the eagerly awaited Gladiator 2, alongside talents like Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal, sharing the screen with the 69-year-old.
As the film’s release approaches, all three are engaging in promotional activities, with Washington discussing his future in the entertainment industry during a conversation with Today.
He mentioned that director Ryan Coogler is crafting a role for him in the third Black Panther film, which will be among Washington’s final acting endeavors.
Before he retires, Washington plans to participate in a new project by Steve McQueen and a rendition of Shakespeare’s Othello.
The actor from Gladiator 2 told Today: “For me it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best,” Washington remarked. “I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
He elaborated: “I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70. After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ After that, I’m going to do the film ‘Othello,’ After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”
Washington was always expected to be part of a third Black Panther installment, with series star Chadwick Boseman paying homage to Washington while presenting him with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019.
“My whole cast stands on your shoulders,” he expressed. “The daily battles won, the thousand territories gained, the many sacrifices you made for the culture on film sets through your career, the things you refused to compromise along the way lay the blueprints for us to follow.”
In a discussion with Empire earlier this year, Washington shared his reasons for joining Gladiator 2.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker,” he stated.
It’s clear that the Black Panther actor was thrilled about the opportunity in Gladiator 2.
In the highly anticipated sequel, Washington portrays Macrinus, a power broker and former slave.
Gladiator 2 is set to hit theaters across the US on 22 November.