Gladiator II: Denzel Washington Is All Praise For Ridley And Tom Scott; Speaks On Comparison Between Directors

As a dedicated cinephile who has been fortunate enough to witness the cinematic brilliance of Denzel Washington for decades, I must say that my latest fascination lies in his exceptional collaborations with the esteemed Scott brothers. Having worked with both Ridley and the late Tom, Washington’s insights into their unique filmmaking styles are nothing short of captivating.


Denzel Washington has worked with several esteemed directors throughout his career. Most recently he reunited with his 2007’s American Gangster director Ridley Scott for the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel. Ridley’s late brother Tom was also an acclaimed director with whom Washington has worked on five projects including 2006’s Deja Vu, 2004’s Man on Fire, and 2010’s Unstoppable. 

Discussing with Empire magazine, the two-time Oscar-winning actor shared his thoughts on working alongside the Scott siblings throughout their careers. “Undeniably, they’re both gifted directors,” he acknowledged. “They never disappoint.”

Afterward, the actor admitted that he had never made comparisons between the two brothers due to their distinct methods in work and unique character traits. He further noted, “I don’t compare directors either. You can observe the differences in their personalities. I suppose there are some similarities as well.”

Washington excitedly shared his delight in collaborating with Ridley once more after over a decade had passed. He mentioned that there aren’t many projects he would commit to unless he feels motivated by the filmmaker and their vision. “Ridley truly inspired me,” he said. Moreover, he expressed that Ridley serves as an inspiration for maintaining enthusiasm for life and films even at 86, adding, “We all should aspire to feel that way.”

In the upcoming action-adventure “Gladiator II,” the actor known for his role in “Training Day” will portray Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer. Washington humorously described his character by saying, “He aspires to be Emperor and is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve that goal.” The movie boasts an impressive cast including Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, Paul Mescal as Lucius, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, and numerous others.

In the upcoming movie, we follow Lucius as he transforms from an underdog into a gladiator, battling in the famous arena. Although Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, met a tragic end in the award-winning original, his influence will live on in this sequel! There’s plenty of speculation and anticipation surrounding the movie, keeping fans eager for more!

Gladiator II will be released in theaters internationally on 15 November 2024. 

Read More

2024-08-23 23:38