Denzel Washington Discusses ‘Gladiator II’ Role: “I’m Going Crazy!”

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The actor joined his castmates for a panel discussion following a screening of the film.

Denzel Washington explains the dual nature of his character Macrinus at an early screening of Gladiator II. Last Friday (Oct. 18), the leading cast sat for a panel discussion of the film after industry insiders got the first look at the anticipated sequel at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

The two-and-a-half-hour tale takes audiences on an epic journey in ancient Rome where everyone has a mission to rule. For Washington, signing on for the movie was a no-brainer.

“It’s Ridley [Scott]. It’s Gladiator. It’s yes,” the 69-year-old explained to an intimate crowd.

Washington continued to add context to his role in the film.

“He’s misunderstood. He’s misunderstood. He’s a nice fellow. He’s a product of his environment,” describes the acclaimed actor. “He’s trying to use everybody. He’d use his mother, he’d use his own children; he’s already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. He’s in bed with the devil.”

He continued to detail, “When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play, it was fun; just put the gear on, put the dress on, and go, that’s the way I look at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings and I’m going crazy!”

Gladiator II also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen.

According to the official description, years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Mescal) “is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist, forced look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”

“I think vengeance is interesting for a certain period of film, but that has a certain runway that you… You run out of runway very quickly with that. And I think vengeance is a symptom of the life that he’s led,” explained Mescal during the panel.

He continued to detail, “But also, when you have vengeance matched with somebody, and I think Lucius is very intelligent. I think you’ve got an interesting outline for a hero at the center of a story.”

Gladiator II is due in theaters on Nov. 22, 2024. Watch the official trailer below.