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Denzel Washington Hints At Retirement After Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’: “Very Few Films Left”

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Denzel Washington Hints At Retirement After Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’: “Very Few Films Left”


As Denzel Washington continues to flirt with onscreen retirement, an old friend recently got him to serve at least one more performance.

The Academy Award winner said he was “tremendously inspired” by director Ridley Scott‘s upcoming sequel Gladiator II, which premieres Nov. 22 in theaters, while hinting that he’s nearing the end of his acting career.

“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” he told Empire after last working with Scott on 2007’s American Gangster.

“We had a great go-round the first go-round and here we are. He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” added Washington. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”

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Scott said the long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning 2000 movie is “the best thing I’ve ever made,” before clarifying, “One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ‘uns… it’s full-bore, brutal action.”

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II. (Paramount Pictures)

Paramount Pictures

In Gladiator II, Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, who enters the Coliseum years after witnessing Maximus (played in the original by Russell Crowe) die at the hands of his uncle, Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

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After making his onscreen debut more than 40 years ago, Washington has added directing and producing to his resumé with such titles as Antwone Fisher (2002), The Great Debaters (2007), Fences (2016) and A Journal for Jordan (2021).

Washington previously hinted at his retirement from acting as he appeared at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida in June.

“The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera,” said Washington. “I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”



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Denzel Washington hints at retirement: ‘There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in’

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Denzel Washington hints at retirement: ‘There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in’


Is it time for Denzel Washington to hang up his acting chops?

The two-time Oscar winner appeared to tease his retirement in a new interview with Empire magazine, revealing that he has little interest in making any new films — except Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.”

Washington, 69, stars as Macrinus in the upcoming action movie.

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in “Gladiator II” from Paramount Pictures. Cuba Scott / Paramount Pictures
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in the film. Aidan Monaghan / Paramount Pictures
Movie poster highlighting Denzel Washington. Paramount Pictures

While promoting the project, the legendary actor expressed his lack of interest in movie-making, revealing the sword-swinging gladiator film was one of the only roles that got his engine revving lately.

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“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” Washington told Empire about why he agreed to join the highly anticipated “Gladiator” sequel.

The producer and director — who is arguably one of the best actors of his generation — did not disclose how many other roles are in his future.

Washington has paired up with Scott, 86, in the past. The duo teamed up for the 2007 thriller “American Gangster,” scoring several award nominations for their work on the film.

Paul Mescal and Director Ridley Scott on the movie set. Aidan Monaghan / Paramount Pictures
Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in an action scene. Aidan Monaghan / Paramount Pictures

“We had a great go-round the first go-round and here we are. He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” Washington shared. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”

Scott, who made the first Oscar-winning “Gladiator” film starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, and more, is confident about the sequel.

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“It’s the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns… it’s full-bore, brutal action,” the award-winning director told the magazine in a separate interview.

Scott can’t stop gushing over the film.

“It’s as good as the first one,” he told People at the “Alien: Romulus” premiere on August 12. “I didn’t say better. It’s as good.”

Besides Washington, the sequel also stars Paul Mescal as the lead and Pedro Pascal.

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Washington has been a heavyweight in Hollywood for nearly 50 years. He’s been acting since the late ’70s, starring in blockbusters like “Man on Fire,” “The Equalizer,” “The Book of Eli,” “The Bone Collector,” “Remember The Titans,” and many more.

He won Academy Awards for his performances in “Glory” (1989) and “Training Day” (2001).

Denzel Washington in the 2004 film “Man on Fire.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Denzel Washington is seen in character in the film “Training Day.” AP Photo
Denzel Washington in a scene from ‘The Hurricane.” Ken Regan

This isn’t the first time he’s talked about stepping away from acting.

In July, Washington appeared on a panel at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach and said, “The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera.”

Halle Berry, left, and Denzel Washington hold their Academy awards, the first time black actors received both best-actor and best-actress statues, in 2002. AP Photo
Best actor winner Denzel Washington during the Governor’s Ball at the 74th annual Academy Awards. AP

“I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”

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He’s been dropping hints for a while.

“I’m in the yellow leaf of my career. To be quite honest, looking to do other things. So as far as acting, it’s gonna have to be an extreme challenge for me to be interested,” Washington told Entertainment Tonight in 2021. I’ve been talking to one or two of the top directors in the business, and we’re talking about maybe doing something. There’s not that much left for me to do as actor.”

“Gladiators II’ hits theaters on November 22, 2024.



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Man found dead near summit of Mount Washington

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Man found dead near summit of Mount Washington


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An investigation into the cause of death is still underway.

A pair of hikers traverse a trail on Mount Washington. Jim Cole / AP, File

A 72-year-old man from Virginia was found dead near the summit of Mount Washington, according to officials.

At about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, a hiker found his body lying about a half mile below the summit, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division.

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The Cog Railway offered to send a special train and crew to help Fish and Game recover the man’s body from a location on the Gulfside Trail near the junction of West Side Trail, as he was about 425 feet north of the Cog Railway tracks.

Crews hiked the body back to the train, which transported him to the Base Station. From there, they transferred the body to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Concord for an autopsy.

Officials from Fish and Game, the New Hampshire State Police, and Twin Mountain Fire Department responded to the call. 

Authorities are withholding the hiker’s name pending family notification.

It appears that the man likely died due to environmental exposure, officials said, but the exact cause of death is pending autopsy results. 

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Authorities said they know little else about the hiker. The man was dressed in jeans, had on a dark navy blue raincoat, brown hiking boots, and a small blue backpack. 

He was unprepared for the conditions on the White Mountains’ higher summits. Authorities say it is likely that he took a train ride up to the summit in the morning or early afternoon on Wednesday and then decided to try hiking down. 

New Hampshire Fish and Game asks anyone who might have encountered a hiker matching his description to contact State Police Troop F at 603-843-3333 or Lt. Mark Ober at [email protected]

This isn’t the first death on the notoriously hard mountain to trek this year. In March, a skier died after falling down a ravine.

Fish and Game reminds people that the weather on the higher summits is cold, wet, and windy, which are prime conditions for hypothermia and other cold-related injuries. The department advises hikers to check the forecast on the Mount Washington Observatory before venturing out. 

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Kerry Washington Brings Kamala Harris’ Grandnieces on Stage to Give a Simple Lesson on Pronouncing Her Name

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Kerry Washington Brings Kamala Harris’ Grandnieces on Stage to Give a Simple Lesson on Pronouncing Her Name


Kerry Washington called in a couple of reinforcements for a lesson on how to properly pronounce Vice President Kamala Harris’ name at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 22.

The actress, 47, who reunited with her Scandal costar Tony Goldwyn earlier in the night, brought her star power to the stage at the DNC with help from Harris’ great-nieces Amara and Leela.

“It’s come to my attention that there are some folks who struggle, or pretend to struggle, with the proper pronunciation of our future president’s name,” Washington said in support of Harris, 59, before she accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.

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Kerry Washington speaks at the Democratic National Convention.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty


“So hear me out: Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.”

After pausing for applause from the audience, the Little Fires Everywhere star said she would “help everyone get it right.”

“Here to help me are some very special guests,” she said as two little girls walked out onstage — one in a pastel pink pantsuit and the other in a baby blue dress.

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The girls introduced themselves as Amara Ajagu and “her little sister” Leela Ajagu, Harris’ great-nieces. They were at the DNC “to teach you how to say our auntie’s name,” they said.

Kerry Washington speaks on stage with Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ grandnieces Amara (R) and Leela (L) during the final day of the Democratic National Convention.

Andrew Harnik/Getty


According to Amara, the best way to say the first part of Harris’ name is to say “comma, like a comma in a sentence.”

Next was Leela, who said the second half of her aunt’s name was “luh” as if you were singing the scales of a song. The audience cheered in support of the kids. 

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Washington then kneeled to be the same height as the sisters.

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“Put it together and you get — ” she paused to give the girls a chance to join in, in unison: “Kamala!”

The UnPrisoned actress suggested that everyone come together to practice saying Harris’ name the correct way with the girls’ help. The side closest to Amara said “Comma,” while Leela’s side said “Luh.”

After several chants of “Comma-Luh” from the room, Washington added, “for president!”

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Harris’ running mate Tim Walz seemingly enjoyed the demonstration as he could be seen mouthing “how cute” to the people sitting next to him.

Though Washington did not single out anyone in particular on Thursday, last week, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace made headlines for her repeatedly mispronouncing Harris’ first name while on CNN.



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