Denzel Washington's Approach to Gladiator II: Embrace Make-Believe

For Denzel Washington, bringing his character Macrinus to life in Ridley Scott's upcoming film "Gladiator II," set for release on November 22, was a straightforward endeavor. At a Los Angeles screening on October 18, he shared, "All we had to do was put the clothes on and start talking," reflecting on the immersion in the Roman setting Scott created. Recognized for authenticity, the film engaged Washington with its depiction of Rome, complete with vast numbers of extras and horses, creating a vivid make-believe atmosphere on set.

Joining him were co-stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, and Fred Hechinger as they discussed this sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning film. Mescal steps into the shoes of Lucius Verus, the determined son of Maximus, originally portrayed by Russell Crowe. Meanwhile, Washington's Macrinus is portrayed as a complex, misunderstood character shaped by his harsh environment, constantly maneuvering and exploiting those around him.

With screenplay contributions from David Scarpa and Peter Craig, Washington felt an opportunity to work amidst a stellar cast and under Scott's direction was worth seizing. Nielsen, reflecting on the evolution of filmmaking technology, noted that setups now take mere minutes compared to hours in the previous film, a testament to Scott's embrace of technological advancements. This adaptation allowed the team to tackle massive scenes efficiently, drawing both challenge and thrill from the process. Despite any nerves faced during production—as recalled in a humorous anecdote by Mescal—the experience overall was robustly transformative, culminating in a film rich with dynamic talent and visionary direction.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Eva Mendes expressed regret about her cosmetic surgery choices.