Denzel Washington Hints at Final Curtain Call: ‘Only a Few Films Left for Me’

<p id=”par-1_67″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-named-1-character-loved-anyone-else-played.html/”>Denzel Washington</a>‘s <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/actors/?swcfpc=1″>acting</a> career has come full circle. Does this signal the conclusion of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-told-never-go-hollywood.html/”>42 years spent in the spotlight</a>? When director Ridley Scott approached the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-turns-70-still-hollywood-most-handsome-men.html/”>69-year-old</a> about starring in <em>Gladiator II</em>, Washington could not turn down the chance to work with the esteemed director on the epic sequel set in Ancient Rome. As Denzel shines in one of his more acrimonious roles, he’s hinted at retirement.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-will-denzel-washington-retire-from-acting-after-gladiator-ii”>Will Denzel Washington retire from acting after ‘Gladiator II’?</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Denzel-Washington-Gladiator-II-Paul-Mescal.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington laugh with a reporter during their Gladiator II press tour” class=”wp-image-3736868″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington at a ‘Gladiator II’ press conference during the 2024 Tokyo International Film Festival | Mila Gruber/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-2_86″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-shared-didnt-consider-leading-man.html/”>Denzel Washington stars in <em>Gladiator II</em></a> as Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who will do whatever it takes to become emperor. Set more than 20 years after the death of Russell Crowe’s Maximus in <em>Gladiator</em>, the sequel follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), one of Macrinus’s gladiators and mentees, who he employs to battle in the famed Coliseum. Mescal was naturally intimidated to work with a legend like Washington. “I built it up in my head,” he told <a href=”https://www.gq.com/story/paul-mescal-enters-the-arena-in-gladiator-ii” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>GQ</a>. But he realized, “I have a job to do.”</p>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Denzel-Washington-retires.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Actor Denzel Washington laughs with a reporter during his Gladiator II press tour” class=”wp-image-3736869″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Denzel Washington at the ‘Gladiator II’ Japan premiere on November 5, 2024 | Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures</figcaption></figure>

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<p id=”par-3_83″>As Mescal’s career continues to heat up, Washington’s role in <em>Gladiator II </em>may hint at his final curtain call. “There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in,” the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-worried-getting-killed-filming-malcolm-x.html/”><em>Malcolm X</em> star</a> explained to <a href=”https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/denzel-washington-gladiator-2-working-with-tony-and-ridley-scott/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Empire</a>. “And I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley.” Washington didn’t need to take a risk with Scott. The duo previously filmed <em>American Gangster</em> together, with Washington calling the 2007 action-thriller a “great go-round” together. </p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-washington-s-acting-career-comes-full-circle-with-ridley-scott”>Washington’s acting career comes full circle with Ridley Scott</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Denzel-Washington-Tony-Scott-Ridley-Scott.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Side by side photos of Denzel Washington and director Tony Scott in 2004 and Washington and Ridley Scott in 2007″ class=”wp-image-3736873″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Denzel Washington and Tony Scott in 2004; Washington and Ridley Scott in 2007 | Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images; Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-4_80″>Washington previously worked with Ridley Scott’s brother, Tony Scott. If you like <em>Unstoppable</em>, <em>Déjà Vu</em>, <em>Man on Fire</em>, or <em>Crimson Tide</em>, then you’re a fan of a Denzel Washington-Tony Scott production. In 2012, Ridley’s younger brother died by suicide after a lengthy battle with cancer. Washington described the late director as a “genuine friend,” telling <a href=”https://www.eonline.com/news/339553/denzel-washington-remembers-genuine-friend-tony-scott” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>E! News</a>, “It is unfathomable to think that he is now gone. He had a tremendous passion for life and for the art of filmmaking.”</p>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Director-Ridley-Scott.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Sir Ridley Scott holds up his hands at his 2017 hand and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX” class=”wp-image-3736866″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sir Ridley Scott at his 2017 hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood | Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

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<p id=”par-5_76″>Now, Washington hesitates to compare the brothers’ directorial skills. “You see the different personalities,” the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washington-often-didnt-rewatch-films-1-exception.html/”><em>Glory</em> star</a> explains to Empire. I suppose they do [have similarities]. On the days when we’re shooting, I’m busy with what I’m doing. So I’m not comparing this one to that one, but obviously, both are great filmmakers. They can’t miss.” As Washington’s acting résumé returns full circle to his <em>American Gangster</em> collaborator, they’ve presumably reflected on Tony’s life and career.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-denzel-washington-will-still-have-a-lot-going-on-in-retirement”>Denzel Washington will still have a lot going on in retirement</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Denzel-Washington-wife-Pauletta-Washington-then-now.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta attend movie premieres in 1993 and 2024″ class=”wp-image-3736872″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Denzel and Pauletta Washington at a 1993 movie premiere; Denzel and Pauletta at the 2024 premiere of ‘The Piano Lesson’ | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; Monica Schipper/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-6_72″>Washington may have said it best as early as 2021, when he told <a href=”https://www.etonline.com/denzel-washington-reveals-the-role-he-wants-to-play-next-exclusive-176777″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>ET</a>, “I’m in the yellow leaf of my career. To be quite honest, looking to do other things. So as far as film acting, it’s gonna have to be an extreme challenge for me to be interested.” The Oscar winner has many other irons in the fire. In 2025, Washington will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/kandi-burruss-shines-nyc-teams-up-denzel-washington-jake-gyllenhaal-new-venture.html/”>Broadway revival of William Shakespeare’s play <em>Othello</em></a>.</p>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-6″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Denzel-Washington-wife-kids.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Pauletta Washington, Denzel Washington’s wife, and their four kids pose together after a Broadway play” class=”wp-image-3736867″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Malcolm Washington, Pauletta Washington, Olivia Washington, Katia Washington, and John David Washington in 2024 | Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

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<p id=”par-7_92″>Washington is also a devoted family man, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/denzel-washingtons-wife-pauletta-explains-how-she-knew-they-were-meant-to-be.html/”>married to Pauletta Washington since 1983</a>. Together, they have four children, John David, Katia, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, who are also involved in entertainment. Known for his philanthropy, Denzel has donated to many causes, including education and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he’s served as a spokesperson since 1993. The <em>Flight</em> star is also passionate about his faith and has supported projects fostering community and youth empowerment. We certainly anticipate the Hollywood icon staying busy whenever he retires from acting.</p>

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