Get our free weekly e mail for all the newest cinematic information from our movie critic Clarisse Loughrey
Get our The Life Cinematic e mail without spending a dime
Get our The Life Cinematic e mail without spending a dime
Denzel Washington has spoken out towards American politics, warning those that they’re being “manipulated” by either side of the political spectrum.
In a brand new interview with The Sunday Instances for Gladiator 2 – wherein Washington stars alongside Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal – the interviewer quoted a line from the film, saying: “Empires fall, so do emperors.”
“You know, it’s so easy to stand outside America and say this and that,” the 69-year-old actor responded. “Turn around, you know? Pick a country. Any one.”
“But listen,” he continued. “It’s all politics. All promises unkept. And now with the information age the way it is – if anything – left, right, whatever had better learn how to use those tools to manipulate the people.”
He went on to quote a line from his debut film, 1985’s Carbon Copy: “‘Power to the people? Yeah, they had it once – it was called the Stone Age.’”
“We’re all slaves to information now. We really are. We’re all slaves,” The Equalizer alum claimed. “So whatever you feel about the leaders, like this guy’s crazy or the other one is sane, you’d better realize you’re being manipulated by both sides. Period. So go to the movies.”
Washington’s efficiency as former slave-turned-devious slave vendor Macrinus within the belated Ridley Scott sequel has been lauded by critics, who’re predicting the two-time Oscar winner could possibly be a shoo-in for his third Academy Award.
Denzel Washington claimed Americans “ better realize you’re being manipulated by both sides: (Paramount Pictures)
Out in theaters now, Gladiator II picks up after the events of the 2000 original, which featured Russell Crowe as Roman soldier Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as his betrayer Commodus. Starring Paul Mescal as a grown Lucius, the son of Crowe’s slain Maximus, the new film follows his journey to reclaim Rome and restore it to its former glory.
Gladiator II has already debuted to an estimated $87m at the international box office, making it the biggest overseas opening for any Scott film.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free
Last week, Washington made headlines over claims that he is set to retire after making his next five films, which include Black Panther 3.
“I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film,” mentioned Washington. “After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m going to do the film Othello. After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire,” he mentioned on an episode of Australia’s Right this moment present.
Washington has since set the document straight on the way forward for his profession, telling BuzzFeed: “I didn’t say I was going to go into retirement. I said that it has to be a level of interest for me.
“I’m more interested in getting behind the camera, so that’s about five years out. It’s very difficult. I may have used the word ‘retire’… but I look at life in three sections – you learn, you earn and you return. I’m in the return part of life.”
