During an early Gladiator II screening, award-winning actor Denzel Washington discussed the dual nature of his character Macrinus.
The lead actors participated in a panel discussion about the movie last Friday, October 18, following industry insiders’ first viewing of the much-awaited sequel at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
Gladiator II transports viewers to ancient Rome, where everyone is on a quest for power. It was obvious for Washington to sign on to the film.
“It’s Ridley [Scott]. It’s Gladiator. It’s yes.“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,” Denzel told the fans.
“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!” he added.
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Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, and Connie Nielsen are also featured in Gladiator II.
Years after seeing his uncle kill the beloved hero Maximus, 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,” according to the official description.
“I think vengeance is interesting for a certain period of the 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,” Mescal disclosed.
On November 22, 2024, Gladiator II is scheduled to open in cinemas.
