*Denzel Washington says he has a few more projects underway, including Marvel’s next “Black Panther” film before he retires.
“I’ve played Othello at 22. I’m about to play Othello at 70,” Washington told Australia’s Today Show while promoting “Gladiator II,” Complex reports. “After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m gonna do the film Othello. After that, I’m gonna do King Lear. After that, I’m gonna retire.”
After appearing in more than 50 movies, the Oscar winner previously said he’s not interested in taking on new projects if he’s not inspired by the filmmaker. In an interview with Empire magazine, Washington opened up about his reason for joining Ridley Scott‘s upcoming “Gladiator 2.”
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” Washington said. “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on American Gangster], and here we are.”
Washington described Scott as “engaged” and “excited about life and his next film.”
“He’s an inspiration,” he noted of Scott. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”
Speaking to the Today team, Washington said, “For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career. I’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m gonna make, probably not that many. I wanna do things I haven’t done.”
Washington stars in “Gladiator 2” as wealthy arms dealer Macrinus, who “wants to be emperor, and he’s willing to do anything to get there,” the actor explained.
The film “continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people,” per the official synopsis.
The sequel, set around 20 years after the original film, also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn.
“Gladiator II” debuts in theaters nationwide on Nov. 22.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Denzel Washington Says ‘Few Films Left’ That Capture His Interest
