Denzel Washington is currently receiving all the praise from critics for his role as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. The film has yet to hit the theaters but critics have given a positive verdict to the sequel of Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning film. During the promotion of this movie, Washington hinted at one thing that has made his fans sad and excited at the same time.
It appears that the actor has only a handful of films under his belt, after which he plans to say goodbye to his acting career. He shared that he was excited to play some iconic characters in these upcoming films, which has given fans a lot to be excited about.
Denzel Washington Hints At Retirement After A Handful Of Great Films
Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal appeared for an interview with Australia’s Today program and promoted their film Gladiator II. Washington shared that he now wishes to do films with only a select few filmmakers. He shared that he wanted to work with the best since he did not have many films left. He 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. 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.
Washington went on to mention the films that he is committed to or has been involved in discussions with. He mentioned a total of six projects, including the Broadway production of Othello but excluding his confirmed film with Spike Lee, High and Low.
Here are the projects that Washington mentioned that are going to be his final few in Hollywood:
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.
While some of these projects have been in development for quite some time, many are being revealed to fans for the first time. For instance, Washington’s casting as General Hannibal in Antoine Fuqua‘s Netflix film was announced last year. However, Marvel fans were surprised to learn that Washington took on a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here’s a look at each of the film projects that Washington mentioned in the interview:
1. Othello
Earlier this year, it was announced that Denzel Washington was returning to Broadway for a revival of Othello (via The New York Times). He reunited with Kenny Leon for the production, who directed Washington’s Tony-winning performance in 2010’s Fences. Washington also appeared in Leon’s 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun, which earned the director a Tony Award.
Washington will be joined by actor Jake Gyllenhaal in this Broadway play. The Malcolm X actor plays the titular character while Gyllenhaal plays the villain Iago. While fans have only heard this Broadway update about Othello, Washington mentioned the “film Othello.”
It’s unclear whether he mistakenly referred to it as a film or if a film adaptation of the Shakespearean play is actually in development.
2. A General Hannibal Film
Denzel Washington was announced as ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal in Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming Netflix film. Washington and Fuqua have teamed up multiple times to give fans great films, including Washington’s Oscar-winning performance in Training Day. They also worked together on The Equalizer films.
The untitled movie about the real-life warrior was reported to be written by three-time Oscar winner and Gladiator writer, John Logan. According to Variety, the film’s official logline read:
[The film is] based on real-life warrior Hannibal, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in history. The film covers the pivotal battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.
Interestingly, the announcement also sparked widespread controversies, especially from Tunisian authorities. French newspaper Courrier International reported that Hannibal being represented as a Black African was questioned by the Tunisian parliament. It was claimed that Hannibal, born in Carthage, was of West Asian Semitic origin.
3. Steve McQueen’s Film
Steve McQueen is best known for being the first Black filmmaker to win the Academy Award for Best Picture for 12 Years A Slave. The British filmmaker is also known for the critically acclaimed film Shame, starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan. McQueen recently returned to feature filmmaking with his film, Blitz, which hit theaters on November 1, 2024.
The news about a film between Denzel Washington and McQueen wasn’t public knowledge until the actor revealed it in the Today interview. According to Washington’s own words, he has only been “talking to Steve McQueen” about the film. The details about the film will likely emerge in the coming days. As of now, it is kept under tight wraps.
4. A King Lear Film
Denzel Washington is set to play two Shakespearean characters before his potential acting retirement. He will play Othello in one tragedy and King Lear in the other. It was Deadline reporter Baz Bamigboye who first reported on Washington’s King Lear project.
In a tweet, the reporter shared that Washington revealed his intention to bring King Lear to the stage. This decision came after his 2021 film The Tragedy of Macbeth, another Shakespearean adaptation. Bamigboye also reported that a King Lear film version will follow the Broadway version.
#DenzelWashington has revealed that he’ll follow his acclaimed performance as Macbeth in Joel Coen’s @24 & @AppleTV film #TragedyofMacbeth with #KingLear. Washington hopes to have Lear on stage in 2023 , film version will follow. pic.twitter.com/7G3QHTwVow
— Baz Bamigboye @Deadline (@BazBam) February 3, 2022
King Lear explores an aging monarch and father of three daughters, who divides his kingdom among his children. However, the three daughters aren’t kind to him, driving him to insanity. It will be a powerful character and film for Washington to be a part of.
5. Black Panther 3
Marvel fans only knew about a reported Wakanda-based series being developed by Ryan Coogler. However, Washington revealed Black Panther 3 for the first time and fans are yet to receive an official confirmation from Kevin Feige and Coogler. The American Gangster actor revealed that Coogler was writing a role for him in the upcoming threequel to Black Panther.
Washington will be a great addition to the films, especially because of the relationship between the legendary actor and the late star Chadwick Boseman. The actor who played T’Challa in the first film revealed that Washington had paid for him to go to acting school. Boseman spoke at an AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony for Washington in 2019 (via The Independent):
There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington. My whole cast stands on your shoulders. 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.
Washington produced Boseman’s 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Speaking about working with Boseman, Washington shared that he suffered quietly from his deteriorating health while making the film (via Variety). Washington called the MCU star a “man among men.” It is just right that Washington steps up to take Black Panther to the next level.
6. Spike Lee’s High and Low
Interestingly, Denzel Washington forgot to mention his one announced film with Spike Lee, High and Low. The director earlier worked with Washington in four films including Malcolm X and then with his son, John David Washington, in BlacKkKlansman. The film is a collaboration between Apple Original Films and A24 (via Variety).
The thriller film is a remake of an Akira Kurosawa classic of the same name. The 1963 film was based on the novel, King’s Ransom, by Ed McBain. Spike Lee has also written the script in collaboration with Alan Fox. The film is produced by Todd Black for Escape Artists, who has collaborated with Washington in Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and The Equalizer franchise
