Denzel Washington Names the Performance He’s Most Proud Of

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Denzel Washington is famous for his powerful performances, but he considered his role in the 2017 film Roman J. Israel, Esq. to be particularly meaningful. He played a defense attorney with autism, a part that required both accuracy and deep understanding.

In a 2017 interview with the Inquirer, Washington explained that turning sixty changed how he approached acting. He felt a new sense of urgency, realizing that he needed to make the most of his abilities because ‘this isn’t a practice run,’ and wanting to fully utilize his talent while he still could.

Director Dan Gilroy poured his heart and soul into this film, spending eight months rewriting the script to perfectly suit Denzel Washington. Gilroy had admired Washington for a long time, and they finally met over a three-hour lunch in New York, where they connected over the character’s intricate personality.

Washington based his portrayal of Roman on people he knew, realizing that characters like Roman exist everywhere around us. He was especially intrigued by the character’s contradictions – Roman has a remarkable memory for books and poetry, yet struggles to understand other people’s emotions and motivations.

The movie received a somewhat mixed reaction when it first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, but critics all agreed that Washington gave an outstanding performance. This performance led to an Academy Award nomination, showing that a well-developed character can still connect with audiences even if the overall story isn’t perfect. For Washington, the project wasn’t about winning awards; it was about the chance to deeply and authentically portray a complex person.

Denzel Washington continues to be a major presence in Hollywood, especially after a very successful year. He recently starred as the villainous Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, which was a box office hit and earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Critics praised his performance, calling it a standout role that brought a playful energy to the film.

Washington is already looking ahead to more projects. He recently finished post-production work on the Netflix thriller Here Comes the Flood, and his latest film with Spike Lee, Highest 2 Lowest, is receiving widespread acclaim. This film, a modern take on the classic High and Low, features Washington as a music executive dealing with a dangerous ransom situation and is a strong contender for several NAACP Image Awards.

In addition to his current work, there’s speculation that Chadwick Boseman might appear in Black Panther 3 in a confidential capacity, but he hasn’t confirmed anything. He’s also set to star in a film about Hannibal, the famous Carthaginian general, and will be working with director Antoine Fuqua again on that project.

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2026-02-13 16:15