Denzel Washington Hints He May be Retiring from Acting

“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in,” he says, citing the likes of collaboration with director Ridley Scott for the upcoming ‘Gladiator II’.

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in 'Gladiator II' from Paramount Pictures.

Preview:

Denzel Washington says he has “few films” left he’s interested in.
He may opt to retire from acting and instead focus on directing.
That said, he still has ‘Gladiator II’ and Spike Lee’s ‘High & Low’ headed our way.

Is Denzel Washington looking to close the curtain on the time in front of the camera? He’s certainly hinting at that.

In a new interview with Empire, Washington talked up the fact that, “There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker.”

Which all points to the fact that he’s starting to feel he’s said all he can in front of the camera and isn’t looking to keep that side of his career forever.

Of course, actors (and directors) talk about retirement, but frequently go back to work –– for every Gene Hackman (who hasn’t acted in years), there’s a Steven Soderbergh (who announced he was stepping back from directing movies but soon returned).

What’s happening with Denzel Washington?

Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.' Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

With Denzel, it’s a little less clear.

Back in June at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Washington talked up the likelihood that he could wrap up the acting side and focus on directing, where he’s had success with movies such as ‘Fences’ and ‘The Great Debaters.’

This was Washington’s statement at the time:

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

What does Denzel Washington have coming up?

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Spike Lee in 'Malcolm X.' Photo: Warner Bros.

Despite all the retirement talk, he’s still booked and busy.

Next up for the actor in the release schedule is Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’.

The new outing, set 20 years after the events of the original, follows Paul Mescal’s Lucius (the character was a child in the first film) as he himself becomes a gladiator in the arena.

Gladiator II

R2 hr 21 minNov 22nd, 2024

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the... Read the Plot

Washington plays Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who wants to be Emperor and he’s willing to do anything to get there.

He was clearly happy with his latest collaboration with Scott:

“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. We should all want to feel like that at 86.”

‘Gladiator’ 2 will be in theaters on November 22.

Paul Mescal plays Lucius in 'Gladiator II' from Paramount Pictures.

And also in the can? A reunion with even more regular collaborator Spike Lee, with whom he’s made crime drama ‘High and Low’.

Beyond those two? A potential movie about the warrior Hannibal, which has Antoine Fuqua directing, and a stack of scripts he’s attached to as a producer.