Denzel Washington opens up about playing Macrinus in Gladiator II, a charismatic Mogul driven by power

MUMBAI : Denzel Washington is no ordinary actor—he’s a force of nature. With his undeniable charisma and fierce intensity, Washington brings a presence that commands the screen. In Gladiator II, he steps into the role of Macrinus, a formidable mogul whose ambition pulses through every scene. Whether he’s embodying heroes, villains, or those who blur the line, Washington’s performances are electric, drawing audiences into his world with a single look. As Macrinus, he redefines what it means to hunger for power, transforming the character into a formidable figure who shapes his own empire, rewriting the rules as he goes. Here’s what the actor has to say about working in the sequel of this epic - 

Fluent in multiple languages, Macrinus is possibly the richest man in Rome, Washington points out. He says “Today, many rich men build a stable of racehorses. Macrinus has a stable of gladiators. And when he adds Lucius to that stable, he has a much bigger goal in mind. Lucius is a natural-born leader and a great fighter, which makes him useful in many ways. But pure rage is not a tool; it’s a disadvantage. Macrinus never wants to lose control. He doesn’t want to be the emperor. He wants to control the emperor. And power is an addictive drug. Once you have it, you can’t live without it. Once he had a taste for taking, he had to have more. He doesn’t really care about anyone. He uses them. If people can’t make him more powerful, he has no interest in them.”

Even Washington, with a slew of award-winning movies behind him, describes Gladiator II as the biggest film he’s ever been on. He adds, “It’s huge — like Cecil B. DeMille on steroids. Ridley doesn’t have a hundred guys in the battle scenes, he has a thousand of them. He doesn’t have 20 horses. He has 20 score of horses. Everywhere you turn on this film, you’re in that world. Being on set with thousands of soldiers in beautiful costumes and brilliant colors and swords and shields and horses made this seem like more than a movie for me,” the actor continues. “It’s a world unto itself. People are going to be blown away by what they see.”

From legendary director Ridley Scott comes Gladiator II, a powerful return to Ancient Rome’s fierce world of power, vengeance, and destiny. Years after the tragic death of the hero Maximus, Lucius (Paul Mescal) finds himself thrown into the brutal Colosseum after his home falls to tyrannical rulers who now grip Rome in fear. With fury igniting his soul and the Empire’s fate hanging in the balance, Lucius must delve into his past to summon the strength and honor needed to restore Rome’s lost glory to its people. The saga continues—bolder, bloodier, and more epic than ever

The film makes its way to cinemas in India on 15th November in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu in 4Dx & IMAX!