The fact that Denzel Washington is excellent is not the main surprise in Gladiator II. Rather, it’s how important his character Macrinus is to the eagerly anticipated follow-up, which stars Paul Mescal as the heir to Russell Crowe’s legendary Maximus.
In the sequel, Mescal’s character, Lucius—the grandson of an emperor and the son of a legendary warrior—steps into his destiny. However, Macrinus from Washington is the one who advances Gladiator II.
In this epic about the Roman Empire, Macrinus is much more than just a villain; he is a saboteur and an opportunist. Those who are abducted as slaves are made to fight in front of an audience in an arena with the dire consequences of killing or dying.
Washington told NBC News that his ultimate goal is to conquer the entire world.
Macrinus leans into his gladiators’ anger to choose them. The former gladiator not only feeds that rage, but Macrinus also searches for it in the prospective gladiators he buys.
According to Washington, it’s a means of interacting with the young gladiators and persuading them to do what he wants. It’s just manipulative, in my opinion.
There were ambitious guys in Crowe’s Gladiator, which came out in 2000, the same year that Remember the Titans, a big office blockbuster from Washington, was produced. But they didn’t resemble Macrinus from Washington. In Gladiator II, Washington infuses Macrinus, a former slave who gained his freedom as a gladiator and changed into a worldly statesman and power broker, with both charm and guile.
The well-known actor’s collaboration on the second movie started with a cordial discussion with his American Gangster director, Ridley Scott, who is also credited with Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and Alien.
According to Washington, Scott claimed that it took him twenty or so years to write the script to the point where he was satisfied. In the end, he accepted the position because of his friendship with Scott and his admiration for him as a director.
Together with American Gangster, we had tremendous success, Washington remarked. I consider him to be among the greatest directors of all time. I agreed to do the movie when he asked me to.
Macrinus’s extravagant robes, pricey rings, bracelet stacks, and striking earrings are all signs of his immense fortune. He also sports a well-groomed Caesar haircut and a chic salt-and-pepper beard. However, Washington maintains he had no part in the character’s Macrinus manner.
Acknowledging costume designer Janty Yates, he laughed and said, “I don’t know nothing about clothes.” In addition to the rings, chains, and earrings they provided me, I was also handed a number of tools in the toolbox. Additionally, I kept wanting more and more.
There were not many action scenes in Gladiator II, aside from the costumes, that he had not seen in his other appearances, which include Othello and the Equalizer series.
He mentioned one exception, saying, “I’ve done almost everything in the movie before, including fight scenes, swordplay, and riding horses.” Although fighting in the water was new to me, I have participated in numerous battles and similar events.
He claimed that throughout his career, he has typically played roles similar to Macrinus. He added, “I got the first leading role I ever read for.” Since the beginning, I have been playing leads. I’ve been quite fortunate. I have been ignored rather than defrauded. But what the heck?
The Piano Lesson is now available on Netflix, while Gladiator II will formally debut on the big screen on Friday. The latter movie is the most recent in Washington’s series of adaptations of August Wilson’s ten-play collection, referred to as the Pittsburgh Cycle or Century Cycle. It features son John David, is produced by daughter Katia, and is directed by son Malcolm.
“As parents, including my wife Pauletta, we’re happy with the work our kids are doing,” he stated. All four of our kids are quite smart. He declared, “I’m going to the back of the bus and letting them drive now that my kids have graduated from college and are pursuing their own careers.”
He went on, “As an actor, I have very little left to do.” All I want to do is enjoy my family and, ideally, some grandchildren someday while relaxing by the sea and taking in the breeze. I’m at that point. All I desire is to follow God’s will and return home when he calls. I have no other desires. I got it everything.
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