He is one of the headliners of Gladiator 2. At 69 years old, Denzel Washington displays Olympic form in this big-budget epic from Ridley Scott, expected in theaters this Wednesday, November 13. That is almost 25 years after the first part. BFMTV met him to explain to us how he prepared for this role, and what his approach was to this film, which has been awaited for a quarter of a century.
“I purposely didn’t watch (the first one) again while preparing, because I didn’t want to be influenced,” he told us. “I wanted to go in with a fresh head, like it was a new film.”
“The pressure was not on me”
Enough to save yourself from very legitimate pressure, after the five Oscars for the first part – including that of best actor for Russell Crowe, absent from this sequel. Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a former slave who made his fortune in the arms trade. When Lucius, the main character played by Paul Mescal, arrives in Rome, Macrinus will buy him in order to make him fight in the arena.
“The pressure was not on me,” emphasizes Denzel Washington. “I can only imagine what it was like for this 26-year-old, who was brilliant. Taking over from Russell Crowe, that's pressure. And he lived up to it.”
Especially since Denzel Washington was on conquered territory. With Gladiator 2he reunited with Ridley Scott, with whom he toured in 2007 for American Gangster. “I know his rhythm (…) He gives me a lot of freedom, he does his thing and I do mine. There hasn't been much (prior) discussion.”
No drinks, no cigarettes
How did the almost-seventy-year-old manage to keep in such good shape? “I have a very healthy lifestyle,” he says. “I don't drink, I haven't had a glass of wine in ten years. I don't smoke. I'm boring!”
“I'm at a point in my life where I want to maximize what God has given me. I'm taking my job more seriously than ever. I'm preparing for Othellothen after I will do Hannibal. My goal, for Hannibalis standing on an elephant, without a t-shirt. At 70.”
And to conclude: “I was lucky to have good genes. When I was a kid I hated it, because I looked too young. I couldn't go into clubs, bars. .. But now it suits me well.”
Original article published on BFMTV.com
