Gladiator II: Denzel Washington Reveals Why He Joined Sequel

Denzel Washington is set to star in the upcoming Ridley Scott sequel Gladiator II, a role he decided to sign up for because of his love of the director.

What did Denzel Washington say about Gladiator II?

Speaking to Empire Magazine, Washington recalled his reasoning for wanting to be a part of a film with so much pressure. For him, it was as simple as the fact that Scott himself was returning to the project.

“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,” said Washington. “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on American Gangster], and here we are.”

As Washington mentioned, he and Scott worked together on 2007’s American Gangster, which received critical acclaim and earned two Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Supporting Actress.

Gladiator 2 is directed by Scott from a screenplay written by David Scarpa. Leading the film is Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Lucilla and Emperor Commodus’ nephew. The character was originally portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in the first installment. Alongside Washington and Mescal, the sequel will also feature Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Lior Raz, and more. They will be joined by returning cast members Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Derek Jacobi as Gracchus.

“From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people,” reads the synopsis.