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Denzel Washington absolutely runs off with “Gladiator II” as scheming Roman power broker Macrinus, a former slave whose end game is to become the new emperor.

It’s one of the two-time Oscar winner’s best performances in his nearly 40-year career and one where he gets a chance to go as big as he did in “Training Day.” The way he puts a spin on the words “politicssss” and “too much!” is the actor having possibly the best time of his life with a role.

As “Gladiator II” producer Douglas Wick told TheWrap at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, the actor’s riffs and unexpected line deliveries are like jazz. “I think of him as a jazz musician the melody is psychological truth. It’s an amazing thing to watch. He’ll keep the psychological truth, but he’ll play with it this way and he’ll play with it that way,...

For Malcolm Washington, an appreciation for August Wilson plays runs in the family. Several years ago, his father Denzel committed to producing film adaptations of Wilson’s Century Cycle plays — a collection of 10 works, each covering one decade of the Black experience in 20th-century America. Denzel started with the Oscar-nominated Fences, which he also directed and starred in, and followed that with Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which won Chadwick Boseman a posthumous Best Actor Oscar nomination. In 2022, Malcolm’s brother, the actor John David Washington, starred in a Broadway revival of The Piano Lesson.

John David Washington “couldn’t believe” Sir Christopher Nolan wanted to cast him in ‘Tenet’.The 40-year-old actor - who is the son of ‘Gladiator II’ star Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta - led the director’s 2020 sci-fi/action flick, but he was so stunned to play the Protagonist, he was convinced the 54-year-old filmmaker would tell him it was all a prank once they started filming.During an appearance on the ‘Little Gold Men’ podcast, John David said: “Ain’t no way he wants me in this thing. “Obviously, when you first get it, I couldn't believe it. And then once I started believing it, after day three, he didn't call me saying ‘psych.’ I was like, ‘Alright, let me try to figure out this character.’”‘Tenet’ - which also stars Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh and Aaron-Taylor Johnson - follows a former CIA agent who is...

“Gladiator II” breakout star Fred Hechinger is weighing in co-star Denzel Washington’s cut gay kiss scene in the film. Hechinger, who plays Emperor Caracalla alongside his onscreen twin Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, told IndieWire that the cut kiss between Denzel Washington’s character Macrinus and another man was not with either of the dual emperors.

“If I had a peck with him, they would have kept it in the movie,” Hechinger told IndieWire during a recent interview.

During the “Gladiator II” Los Angeles premiere, Washington clarified that the so-called controversy about the kiss is irrelevant. “It really is much ado about nothing,” Washington said. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck, and I killed him.” Washington previously explained that the production was too “chicken” to include the overtly queer scene.

“Nickel Boys” actor Hechinger credited...

EastEnders spoilers and updates tease five fantastic spoilers for the week of November 25.

There’s honey trap drama with Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) while Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is threatened, Martin Fowler (James Bye) faces opposition, and more!

EastEnders Spoilers – Honey Trap Drama

Elaine and George Knight’s (Colin Salmon) wedding day has arrived, but will it be a happy occasion? The day before, Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) and the Knights are busy getting The Queen Vic ready for the big event.

Meanwhile, Elaine is trying to convince Cindy to act as a honey trap for George, hoping to test his loyalty to his ex-wife.

Cindy agrees, and at Junior Knight’s (Micah Balfour) apartment, they share some memories before Cindy suddenly kisses George; afterward, wanting to take control, Cindy reveals Elaine’s scheme to George, who’s shocked.

He rushes back to the pub to confront Elaine-both families come together to support the couple,...

When you’re acting against a titan like Denzel Washington, it can be hard to think about the scene sometimes. Or at least it was for Josh Brolin while on set of “American Gangster.” In Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime epic Brolin played a corrupt cop who tries to keep Washington’s Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas in his place, not often to great success. In a recent interview on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger,” Brolin reflected on performing opposite Washington and how things became so intense the two nearly ended up in a scrap.

“We almost got into a fight,” said Brolin. “There was a moment where Brian Grazer was going around with his hair standing straight up and I had done some scenes with Russell Crowe and he was like ‘Josh and Russell are amazing, Josh and Russell are amazing,’ I’m sure Denzel got wind to that.”

Brolin...

On Monday 25 November 2024, BBC One broadcasts EastEnders!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “EastEnders” promises to bring a mix of drama and emotional moments. Titled “Elaine Asks for Help,” this episode will air soon on BBC One. Viewers can expect to see some interesting developments among the characters in Albert Square.

Elaine finds herself in a tough spot and reaches out for help from an unexpected person. This decision could lead to surprising outcomes, as the dynamics between the characters shift. It will be interesting to see how this unlikely alliance unfolds and what it means for Elaine’s situation.

Meanwhile, Lauren is struggling with her own issues but tries hard to keep them hidden. Her attempts to mask her struggles may create tension in her relationships. The episode will likely explore the impact of keeping secrets and the importance of support from loved ones.

Kim is also in the...

King Kong ain’t got nothin’ on Denzel! But maybe The Bone Collector does…Denzel Washington has had one hell of a movie career, breaking out in the ‘80s and soon becoming one of the few Black actors to win an Academy Award at the time. But before he would become the first Black actor to win two Oscars, Denzel Washington had to go through some true crap. But that’s not us talking, that’s Denzel himself.

Speaking with The Times, Denzel Washington admitted that he spent a lot of the ‘90s making movies for the paycheck. “After Malcolm X I made some real clunkers. Look them up — I won’t say their names…They are all in the 1990s. But I was earning. I had responsibilities.” Denzel may not want to list any particular titles, but we can imagine the list includes The Pelican Brief, Virtuosity, Fallen, The Bone Collector,...

It’s been a big weekend for the Washington family.

While patriarch Denzel Washington chewed the scenery on multiplex screens in “Gladiator II,” the next generation of Washingtons stormed onto streaming with the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winner “The Piano Lesson.” With the Netflix film, Denzel and Pauletta Washington’s kids — director Malcolm, actor John David and producer Katia — add to both their family mythos and Wilson’s legacy.

“We’re standing on the shoulders of the Wilsonians,” John David Washington told Variety at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 19, listing artists who’ve appeared in Wilson’s works on stage and screen, including his father, Viola Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Charles Dutton.

“They showed us how to do it,” he said. “Hopefully the younger generation will be inspired by what’s possible with these words.”

Malcolm,...

Josh Brolin opened up about a heated moment onset that he had with Denzel Washington.

The 56-year-old Dune star worked with Denzel on 2007′s American Gangster. During a recent interview, he noted that they “get along very well now.”

However, they “almost” came to blows on set. Josh explained what happened to lead to that.

Keep reading to find out more…

Speaking with Graham Bensinger, Josh said that Denzel was late to set on day and then wanted to modify the way that they approached a scene.

“He said, ‘I think I’m gonna put this down here and I’m gonna put that up there.’ But he wouldn’t really look at me,” he recalled, via Deadline.

He continued, saying, “It wasn’t that many lines, mostly mine. And I’m supposed to be super confident. It’s Denzel Washington, man. It’s not easy. You’re just this...

It seems some of the animosity between Denzel Washington and Josh Brolin’s characters in American Gangster momentarily bled out off-screen in a heated exchange during filming.

In a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, Brolin — who was promoting his new memoir From Under the Truck — reflected on his career and upbringing, including what he described as a fleeting moment where he and his co-star nearly came to blows.

“Denzel and I, by the way, get along very well now,” he prefaced the anecdote, later describing Washington as someone he is “in awe of.” “We almost got into a fight.”

He continued, “Denzel was a little late to set and there was a whole thing there. And then he showed me the lines — he didn’t change any of my lines, but he kind of changed the structure of it. He said, ‘I think I’m gonna put this down here...

Hollywood leading man Denzel Washington recently said that Good Morning America celeb Michael Strahan was done at the popular talk show amid recent controversy. So, is Strahan officially out of a job?

Good Morning America: Michael Strahan In The Middle Of Big Controversy

As much as Good Morning America fans love Michael Strahan and the energy he brings to the set, the former NFL player found himself in the middle of some hot water recently. This recent controversy happened during a Fox NFL Sunday special that was on television.

During the broadcast, when the national anthem played, while Strahan did stand for it, he did not place his hand over his heart while doing so. Strahan faced a firestorm of backlash online, with many commenters saying that what he did was “disrespectful.”

Michael Strahan – YouTube GMA: Strahan Apologizes For Offending Viewers

While it could have been worse, it...

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr., or Denzel Washington, began his career in the 70s with television. Slowly, he moved into films and created a name for himself. Since then, he has come a long way in the show business. Now, he is all over the news for his new movie, Gladiator II.

Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 3 | Credits: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Washington not only earned popularity with his amazing acting skills, but has also done a fair share of directing and producing movies like Antwone Fisher and Fences. The actor has won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony Award so far. But there’s more to it. Here are ten little-known facts about him!

1. Denzel Washington had strict restrictions at home Denzel Washington in Flight | Credits: Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington never had a liberal family. Even though he made his name in the acting industry,...

It's another epic episode of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, as a smorgasbord of stars join us on the pod — all of whom shared the unique privilege of Chris Hewitt's company in person for their interviews. First to have Hewitts about them there's the great Steve McQueen, writer and director of Apple TV+ bound Blitz, to talk about how he approached the World War II drama, and working with Paul Weller [18:56 — 35:15 approx]. Then, Chris has a cracking conversation with The Piano Lesson stars John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler, which veers from the hilarious to the heartfelt in no time at all [56:44 — 1:15:50 approx]. And finally, *checks notes* a Chris Hewitt rounds it all off with an extended excerpt from his spoilerific chat with Transformers One director Josh Cooley [1:39:54 — 1:54:52 approx] The full thing is available to Spoiler Special subscribers.

Either side of those, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara...

Actor Josh Brolin recently revealed a behind-the-scenes anecdote from the 2007 crime movie “American Gangster” that nearly resulted in a violent altercation with co-star Denzel Washington. In a candid interview with Graham Bensinger, Brolin recalled a stressful moment on set that strained the limits of their professional relationship.

The incident occurred while Brolin was filming a scene in which he played Detective Trupo, who was investigating heroin dealer Frank Lucas, played by Washington. According to Brolin, tensions arose when Washington arrived late to the set and appeared distracted while changing the scene structure.

“Denzel was a little late to the set,” Brolin explained. “He showed me the lines and rearranged how we would do the scene.” The situation swiftly grew heated when Brolin reached out for assistance with his lines. Washington reacted strongly, telling Brolin, “Don’t ever put your hand on me.”

Brolin confessed that he briefly believed they were about to fight.

Actor Denzel Washington was someone several younger stars like Ethan Hawke looked up to. Given his cinematic legacy, it’s easy to see why he’s served as an inspiration for so many later generations of actors as well. But who, if anyone, would Washington consider to be the next him?

What Denzel Washington has said about the ‘next Denzel’ Denzel Washington | Noam Galai/Getty Images

Washington already knew how influential role models could be. Years prior to becoming one himself, the Training Day star looked up to the late Sidney Poitier. Back in Washington’s youth, there weren’t too many African-American stars at the time. Poitier was one of the only black stars for Washington to learn from.

“You know, when I started acting, which was twenty-three years ago in 1975, that’s when I started really looking at his work and studying him because again, there was nobody...

Josh Brolin is looking back on a tense moment he had with Denzel Washington on the set of American Gangster.

In an interview on the In Depth with Graham Bensinger, the Dune: Part Two actor recalled a moment when he said he felt he and Washington were going to get into an altercation.

“Denzel and I, by the way, get along very well now,” he said before sharing the anecdote from set. “We almost got into a fight.”

In the 2007 film, Brolin played Detective Trupo, who is investigating Washington’s character Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug dealer in the ’60s and ’70s. While filming, there was a heated moment Brolin alleged after Washington changed Brolin’s line for a scene at the last minute.

“Denzel was a little late to set and there was a whole thing there,” Brolin said. “And then he showed me the lines … he didn’t change any of my lines,...

Our top pick this week, “Blitz,” is a serious Oscar contender in many categories, including Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Supporting Actress for Saoirse Ronan, who could be a double nominee this year for this and “The Outrun.” Steve McQueen — a Best Picture winner for “12 Years a Slave” — directs this World War II drama, his first feature in six years, which follows a boy (Elliott Heffernan) as he tries to reunite with his mother (Ronan) during the Blitz of London.

“Blitz” is a sweeping, old-fashioned British WWII movie — perhaps a little too old-fashioned to be a top-tier modern awards contender, as it’s tracking outside of the top five in many of our predictions categories, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Reviews have been positive but not effusive, especially compared to McQueen’s earlier work. But you can expect it to pick up a few noms. It...

Josh Brolin appeared on the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast to promote his new memoir, “From Under the Truck,” and remembered a tense moment on the set of Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster” in which he nearly fought co-star Denzel Washington. Brolin played a detective in the 2007 crime drama, while Washington headlined the movie as notorious drug lord Frank Lucas.

“Yeah, we almost got into a fight,” Brolin revealed, noting that most of his time on the “American Gangster” set was spent acting with Russell Crowe. The rare moments he got to star opposite Washington were tense, given the Oscar winner was playing a ruthless mobster.

“Denzel was a little late to set and there was a whole thing there,” Brolin said. “And then he showed me the lines…he didn’t change any of my lines, but he kind of changed the structure of it. He said, ‘I...

Good Morning America may have a replacement for Michael Strahan if Denzel Washington gets his way.

The two-time Oscar winner appeared as a guest on the show and claimed he was replacing the retired football star.

Denzel’s remarks arrived over a week after Strahan received backlash from a controversial televised moment during a Fox NFL Sunday special.

Many of the program’s viewers called Strahan “disrespectful” for standing during the National Anthem without his hand over his heart, while his Fox co-stars all did so.

He’s since returned to Fox and GMA, following an explanation video live on his official Instagram.

However, that didn’t stop Denzel from telling Strahan he was “finished” after “one more show.”

Denzel told Strahan ‘You’ll be finished’ at GMA

In a behind-the-scenes clip on GMA’s Instagram, Denzel sits beside Rebecca Jarvis, who replaced Robin Roberts, and regular George Stephanopoulos. Strahan...

In Gladiator II, Denzel Washington plays a glamorous arms dealer and former gladiator who plots to control Rome.

The character, Macrinus, is based on an actual historical figure. But director Ridley Scott says that Macrinus is a bit like a certain modern-day politician.

When explaining the character’s (spoiler-free) backstory, Scott told The Hollywood Reporter, “[Macrinus] was a prisoner of war — probably at a North African state — and actually was taken to Rome probably as a gladiator. Survived. Got free. Got into the business of maybe making wine and bread. He evolved into a very rich merchant selling shit to the Roman armies — food, oil, wine, cloth, weapons, everything. He maybe had a million men spread around Europe. So he was a billionaire at the time, so why wouldn’t he [have ambitions toward the throne]? ‘Why not me?’ He’s also a gangster — very close to Trump. A clever gangster. He creates chaos and from chaos he can evolve.

The musical instrument sitting over in the corner, idle but not gathering dust, at the center of August Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning play The Piano Lesson is more than just a piano. It’s a family heirloom, passed down several generations and proof of how their lineage endured hardship and tragedy. It’s a piece of art, carved with the faces of those who came before, all rendered with an expertise that would make Michelangelo envious. It’s a symbol of revenge, with a backstory that involves the breaking of unions,...

This week, we give thanks. We’re thankful for family, thankful for friends, thankful for food and football and, if you’re lucky, a Thursday off work. And hey, amid all that gratitude you’re expressing, why not also give thanks for streaming?

The best way to do that is to queue up some seasonally appropriate movies and TV over this pre-holiday weekend. You can mark the occasion with everything from a heartwarming drama to a chilling horror film, some docu-inspo for the feast you’re preparing this Thursday, or a sitcom packed with laughs — and a few Turkey Day episodes. Happy Thanksgiving (and thanks for streaming)!

A family affair. Malcolm Washington directs his brother John David in the new Depression-era drama The Piano Lesson, an adaptation of August Wilson’s play. Not music to your ears? Get in step with The Merry Gentlemen, Peter Sullivan’s new...

Few masters can span six decades in the spotlight. Yet Ridley Scott has never been a normal filmmaker. A wunderkind and prodigy, Scott broke into the mainstream in the mid-1970s, coming out of the gate with some of the best films in history. Even his “failures” have been reworked, allowing Scott to rewrite his own history in the process. There may not be a better “Director’s cut” filmography around, and Scott’s legend only continues to grow with time. His return to the Colosseum in Gladiator II has rightfully caused a moment of retrospection for the icon. Below are ten of his best features, which becomes a difficult exercise with a filmography as deep as Scott’s.

10. Matchstick Men (2003)

Nicolas Cage often plays to the rafters, but Matchstick Men proved that Cage could play a man with disorders without turning them into a cartoon. Despite playing a man...

Denzel Washington’s press for Gladiator II has revealed some interesting things about the actor’s past. The actor, at 69, has been widely regarded as one of the faces of Hollywood that has aged gracefully. Speaking about his health, the actor opened up about his struggles with alcoholism in his past, all of which recontextualized his performance in one particular film.

Denzel Washington in Flight || Credit: Paramount Pictures

Flight was a film where Denzel Washington essayed the role of a pilot, one who had been dealing with alcoholism, but was not ready to admit it. In light of his confessions about his struggle with alcohol, the actor’s performance in the film has taken on a new meaning that fans are keen on getting into.

Denzel Washington had gotten hooked on the best wine he could get Denzel Washington in Gladiator II || Credit: Paramount Pictures

Speaking with Esquire, the actor...

In the screen adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, several actors who starred in the 2022 Broadway production of the 1987 play reprise their roles onscreen. That includes John David Washington in the role of Boy Willie Charles, Samuel L. Jackson as Doacker Charles, Michael Potts as Wining Boy Charles, and Ray Fisher as Lymon.

In the role of Boy Willie’s sister Berniece Charles — who Academy Award-nominated Danielle Brooks portrayed in the play — comes Danielle Deadwyler, known for her portrayal of Mamie Till in 2022’s Till.

“These Black women are killing it, right?” John David told The Hollywood Reporter of working alongside the actresses onscreen and onstage at the Los Angeles premiere of the film at the Egyptian Theater on Tuesday. “These Black women can go. We’re looking like, ‘Who’s the next Viola [Davis]?’ We got them. They’re here. We need y’all — people with the mic,...

Denzel Washington has confirmed he will be making more sequels in ‘The Equalizer’ franchise.The 69-year-old actor has starred in the action series from its 2014 debut until the most-recent third entry last year, and now Washington has revealed he will be returning as the grizzled Robert McCall in two more movies.Speaking with Esquire magazine, he said: “I told them I would do another ‘Equalizer’, and we’re doing four and five. More people are happy about that — people love those daggone [God damn] Equalizers.”The ‘Gladiator II’ star added the series was as much for audiences as it was for him, because he loved getting the chance to be an action hero.He added: “But I’ve come to realise that the ‘Equalizer’ films are for me, too, because they’re for the people. They want me to go get the bad guys: ‘We can’t get them, so you go get them.

Besides being one of the greatest actors of all time who never ceased to leave his viewers amazed with his breathtaking performances, Denzel Washington is also famous for his unhesitantly blunt and bold attitude. He speaks his mind without reluctance and does what needs to be done without ever caring about the response it could bring him from other people.

Denzel Washington. | Credits: Fences / Paramount Pictures.

That being said, when Washington realized that he may have shared a moment closer to God than the rest, he didn’t hesitate before talking out loud about it and sharing his experience with his fans. If anything, he even showed a picture meaning to prove that he saw God’s face when he prayed for it, although fans’ mixed reactions on the matter seem to argue otherwise.

Denzel Washington Candidly Recalls When He Saw God’s Face

A Pentecostal Evangelical Christian and a...

Denzel Washington is looking back on how he felt after losing the Best Actor Oscar to Kevin Spacey in 2000. The Gladiator II star, who had already won one Oscar and earned three other nominations before that ceremony, was nominated again for playing Rubin Carter in 1999’s The Hurricane.

He competed against Spacey for American Beauty, Russell Crowe for The Insider, Richard Farnsworth for The Straight Story, and Sean Penn for Sweet and Lowdown. In the end, Spacey took home the award, though Washington did win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama that year.

“At the Oscars, they called Kevin Spacey’s name for American Beauty,” Denzel remembers. “I have a memory of turning around and looking at him, and nobody was standing but the people around him. And everyone else was looking at me. Not that it was this way. Maybe that’s the way I perceived it.

There’s two pieces of news about The Equalizer today that fans might be excited about!

The first piece of news is concerning the CBS hit TV series, starring Queen Latifah.

Keep reading to find out more…

Deadline is reporting that a potential spinoff could be in the works! The series is currently casting two new roles that will appear later this season in the 16th episode of the 5th season. The roles are a “a skilled younger female martial artist, weapons expert and criminologist with a secret origin story” and “an older male former top CIA operative.”

The young female apparently will seek out Queen Latifah‘s McCall for help, while the older man used to work with McCall in the CIA mailroom.

The guest appearances could turn into series regular options with the potential for a spinoff series!

The second piece of Equalizer news comes from Denzel Washington,...

Play-to-film adaptations can often flourish thanks to the little tricks and turns that only the silver screen can provide: whether it’s Jack Nicholson’s claustrophobic close-up as he exclaims guilt in A Few Good Men, or the frantic editing of Amadeus. On the other hand, some adaptations do too little and end up feeling literally ‘stagey’ as a result. With The Piano Lesson in particular, it feels like not much has been gained by re-rendering this Pulitzer- winner on celluloid.

Adapted from August Wilson’s play — part of the ‘Pittsburgh Cycle’ that includes Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (all three now Denzel Washington-produced films) — The Piano Lesson is set in 1936 in Pittsburgh, where the Charles family live, with a large piano sitting unused in their house. Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson) explains the musical instrument’s tragic backstory: enslaved ancestors were traded so that the white head...

The cast of “Gladiator II” is trying to cut the cord on the alleged gay kiss discord.

After Denzel Washington, whose character Macrinus references having relationships with other men in the film, told Gayety that a same sex kiss was edited out, his co-star Connie Nielsen assured audiences that it was not due to “homophobia” but rather just the editing process.

“My grieving scene didn’t make it into the film either,” Nielsen told Variety while at the Governors Awards. “It’s not homophobia. It’s just there was no room for it.”

Producer Michael Pruss added, “There was so much stuff that was shot that didn’t make it into the film. It was truly a non-event.”

During the “Gladiator II” Los Angeles premiere, Washington also agreed that the so-called controversy is irrelevant. “It really is much ado about nothing,” Washington said. “They’re making more of it than it was.

The cast of Gladiator II has arrived in L.A. for the latest premiere!

Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington hit the red carpet for the premiere of their new movie on Monday night (November 18) at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Also in attendance were co-stars Connie Nielsen and Fred Hechinger, as well as Denzel‘s wife Pauletta.

At the premiere, director Ridley Scott spoke in response to Denzel‘s claims that he had a gay kiss in the film, which was removed from the final cut.

Keep reading to find out more…

“No, that’s bullsh-t,” Ridley told Variety. “They never did. They acted the moment — it didn’t happen.”

Denzel clarified at the premiere, “It really is much ado about nothing. They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”

Fyi: Paul is wearing Gucci.

Stars: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, Fred Hechinger, Rory McCann, Matt Lucas | Written by David Scarpa | Directed by Ridley Scott

24 years later and the sequel, which has been re-written, reworked, and felt like it would never come, has finally hit our screens. Soon after the release of the best picture-winning original, Nick Cave was tasked with writing the sequel. His vision saw the return of Maximus (Russel Crowe) and his descent into the afterlife. The original script is available to read online and involves ancient Roman Gods and a montage of wars including the Crusades, World War II, and the Vietnam War. In another universe somewhere, that’s the film we would have all flocked to see, and good or bad, it would have certainly been a bold and unique take. The direction the sequel has finally taken is far more simple than the Nick Cave script,...

Netflix has just released the powerfully haunting new trailer for The Piano Lesson. Denzel Washington produces another film adaptation of August Wilson’s plays after he directed and starred in 2016’s Fences. This movie becomes even more of a family affair as Denzel’s son, John David Washington, stars in the drama and it’s directed by another of Denzel’s sons, Malcolm Washington. Malcolm Washington also wrote the script with Virgil Williams.

The cast also features Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean, with Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins.

The official synopsis reads,

“A battle is brewing in the Charles Household. At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to...

“I definitely arrived here with some films that I was like, ‘I want to make sure I grab that’ and ‘I own it and I have it,’ but upon arrival I have been washed in in the blood of Criterion.”

This was actor Jeremy Pope’s reaction upon entering the sacred Criterion Closet and seeing all the stunning cinema that lay before him. Without delay, Pope’s first selection was Carl Franklin’s Los Angeles-set noir, “Devil in a Blue Dress.”

“This film speaks to me because my first real job was this show called ‘Hollywood’ that I shot with Ryan Murphy for Netflix and this film, set in the I think it’s like, late ‘40s/‘50s, felt very identical to the experience that my character Archie was about to go on, so this became like such an inspiration and like a point of reference,” said Pope. “Love the film,...

Denzel Washington is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors ever, but he’s not a fan of watching his own movies. Recently, Washington shared, “I watch my work so I know what I’m talking about, but I’ve never watched any of my past films from start to finish—not even Malcolm X. All you notice are the mistakes. And really, why bother?”

He compared it to writing, asking interviewer Jonathan Dean if he rereads his own articles (“Absolutely not”). Washington said, “It’s the same thing. ‘Oh wow, I nailed that sentence — I should use that again.’”

Reflecting on the year 2000, when the original Gladiator came out, Washington said, “Life has three stages: you learn, you earn, and you give back. If you live 90 years, the first 30 are for learning, the next 30 for earning, and after that, it’s about giving back. Back then, I was in my earning phase.

Malcolm Washington is stepping out for a special screening of his new movie!

The 33-year-old filmmaker was supported by dad Denzel Washington at the tastemaker screening of his movie The Piano Lesson on Saturday (November 16) held at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills in West Hollywood, Calif.

Stars of the movie John David Washington (who is also Denzel‘s son) and Danielle Deadwyler were also in attendance along with John David and Malcolm‘s sister Katia Washington, who serves as a producer on the movie.

Other stars in attendance included Anthony Anderson, Sam Rockwell and longtime partner Leslie Bibb, dancer Chloe Arnold, Chris Messina, Yaya DaCosta, John Ortiz, and Danny Glover.

Here’s the movie’s synopsis from Netflix: “Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano,...

Denzel Washington might be one of the most celebrated actors of all-time, but that doesn’t mean he’s a fan of watching his own work. In an interview with The LA Times published Saturday, Washington explained, “I watch it so I know what I’m talking about. But I haven’t watched any film from my past from start to finish, not even ‘Malcolm X.’ All you see is what you did wrong. Also why would you do it anyway?”

He then asked his interviewer Jonathan Dean if he reads his own articles (“Absolutely not”) and added, “It’s the same. ‘Ooh, I was brilliant here — what a sentence. I should try that again.”

The actor also looked back on the year 2000, when the original “Gladiator” was released. “Well, in life, you learn, earn and then you return — as in give back. So if your life is 90 years long,...

Denzel Washington, revered for his consistent hit rate as much as his talent when it comes to movie-making, reveals he knows he made some bad choices at an earlier stage in his career.

The double Oscar winner, who stars as slave owner Macrinus in Gladiator II, told The Times of London:

“After Malcolm X [1992] I made some real clunkers. Look them up — I won’t say their names. They are all in the 1990s. But I was earning. I had responsibilities.”

Washington added by explanation:

“In life, you learn, earn and then you return — as in give back. So if your life is 90 years long, up until 30 you learn and from 30 to 60 you earn… so in that era I was earning.

“With a great agent, my career built into making money and so the earning kicked in and then life also kicked in, with bills, four kids and a house...

Are You Not Entertained? Well, you will be when you listen to this week's Empire Podcast, because we have a veritable guestapalooza in store for you, folks. On our 643rd episode, Chris Hewitt sits down with Gladiator II star and living legend Denzel Washington to talk about reuniting with Ridley Scott — and to clarify Denzel's recent hint that he might be winding down as an actor (*Spoiler* — he ain't.) Oh, and Chris quotes *that* Equalizer 2 line to Denzel's face, because he's utterly without shame [20:15 — 39:40 approx]. Elsewhere, Amon Warmann has a lovely chat with Emilia Pérez star, Zoe Saldaña, about working with Jacques Audiard, James Cameron, and more [1:03:14 — 1:16:13 approx], whilst Alex Godfrey catches up with director Sean Baker to talk about the excellent Anora, which is still in cinemas now [1:35:53 - 1:52:19 approx].

Between all the guest related goodness, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and, for the first time,...

Gladiator 2 Fan Reactions ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The Ridley Scott directorial Gladiator 2 hit the theatres today (November 15). The movie is a sequel to the Og 2000 film, helmed by Scott, and starred Russel Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix in the lead roles. The sequel stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger in the lead roles, with Connie Neilson reprising her role from the original film. Here’s what the netizens have to say about the much-awaited action flick.

Gladiator 2 Fan Reactions

One of the netizens called Gladiator 2 the best film of 2024. The post said, “Gladiator 2 is exceptional and brutal. It’s also the year’s best film. Denzel is diabolical, Mescal is masterful. The violence is breathtaking but necessary for the story. Meet Your Best Picture For 2024.” A user added, “Absolutely loved Gladiator 2. It seamlessly continues the story without the nostalgia bait.

Denzel Washington kissed a guy, and he’d have liked it to stay in “Gladiator II.”

Washington told Gayety in the below video that a kiss between his character Macrinus and another man was cut from the film because “they weren’t ready for that yet.” While Washington did not clarify who “they” were, the feature is directed by Ridley Scott and is being distributed by Paramount, also the film’s studio. Washington’s character Macrinus does reference having relationships with other men onscreen during the film, though.

“I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken,” Washington said. “I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet. I killed him about five minutes later.”

He added, “It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death.”

“Gladiator II” is...

Denzel Washington opened up about a deleted scene from Gladiator II, which involved him kissing another man.

The 69-year-old actor shares the screen with the likes of Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in the sequel to Russell Crowe‘s Oscar-winning blockbuster.

During a recent interview, he reflected on his romantic scene with another man and what happened after it. The actor also shared his thoughts on why they cut it.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it,” he told Gayety when asked how gay the Roman empire was. “I kissed the guy full on the lips. I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.”

Denzel joked that they were “chicken” about the scene.

What happened to the man after their kiss? It turns out that he met an unfortunate end: “I killed him about 5 minutes later.”

Gladiator II...

Updated November 13, 2:59 p.m., with exclusive details: Netflix VP Film Niija Kuykendall is the latest executive out at the streamer amid staff trimming heading into the holidays.

We hear that Kuykendall will depart after a transition period through the end of the year. No next destination was disclosed.

Sources tell us the departure comes amidst the continued realignment of Netflix’s ‘pod’ system of executive oversight since Dan Lin took over the streamer’s top film post from Scott Stuber earlier this year — a system that has executives responsible for oversight of particular genres.

With Netflix for nearly three years, Kuykendall has had oversight of faith-based, YA and holiday films. Amidst her departure, YA will move over the comedies and rom-coms pod led by Jason Young, who we’ve learned exclusively has been promoted to VP Film. In more news, faith-based and holiday films will move over to the...

Gladiator II is expected to be one of the biggest movies of the year and it even has the attention of the royal family!

King Charles was in attendance at the royal premiere of the new Ridley Scott sequel on Wednesday night (November 13) at Leicester Square in London, England.

Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and more were all at the premiere to represent the film, which will be released in theaters on November 22. UK fans will get to see it even earlier as it’s being released there on Friday!

It was just announced that Paul is already eyeing a second collaboration with Ridley.

Head inside to see all of the stars at the premiere…

Keep scrolling to see photos of all the stars at the premiere…

Paul Mescal

Fyi: Paul is wearing Gucci.

Denzel Washington

Fyi: Denzel is wearing Dolce&Gabbana.

Pedro Pascal...

Netflix film executive Niija Kuykendall is leaving the streamer after three years.

She joined in October 2021 as VP of film, where she oversaw a new department focusing on mid-sized holiday, faith-based and young adult movies. Netflix didn’t give a reason for her departure but confirmed she’ll be exiting the company at the end of the year.

“Niija’s creative relationships with established and upcoming filmmakers, like Tyler Perry, Denzel and Malcolm Washington, and David Yates, have had a great impact on our film slate,” Netflix’s film VP Doug Belgrad said in a statement. “I want to thank her for her many contributions, including films such as ‘The Piano Lesson,’ ‘The Deliverance,’ ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ ‘Pain Hustlers’ and ‘Mea Culpa.’”

Kuykendall was hired by Netflix’s former film chief Scott Stuber, who was replaced earlier this year by Dan Lin. In Lin’s first month on the job,...

Netflix film executive Niija Kuykendall is departing the company after three years.

The vp film joined the streaming service in October 2021 and managed faith-based, young adult and holiday features. She will exit at the end of the year following a transitional period.

Her forthcoming slate includes Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington in the story of the only Women’s Army Corps unit of color during World War II, and first-time director Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson, an August Wilson play adaptation.

“Niija’s creative relationships with established and upcoming filmmakers, like Tyler Perry, Denzel and Malcolm Washington, and David Yates, have had a great impact on our film slate,” Netflix vp of film Doug Belgrad said in a statement. “I want to thank her for her many contributions, including films such as The Piano Lesson, The Deliverance, The Six Triple Eight, Pain Hustlers and Mea Culpa.

From the first moment its trailers arrived on the internet, it was pretty clear that Denzel Washington wasn't bothering with restraint when it came to his performance in Ridley Scott's blood-on-sand sequel Gladiator II. As power broker/revolution fomenter/serious ring wearer Macrinus, Washington was giving something very close...

Director Ridley Scott talks to us about Gladiator II, his favourite tennis documentary, baboons and an awful lot more.

Even a brief conversation with director Ridley Scott demonstrates how he’s continued to make feature films for almost 50 years. Decades on from his debut, 1977’s The Duellists, Scott remains as restlessly creative as ever – his latest film, sword-and-sandal sequel Gladiator II, arrives almost exactly a year after Napoleon. Both are historical epics requiring armies of extras and equally sizeable film crews; and yet, unfazed by their scale, Scott says he has at least three other movie projects mapped out and ready to go over the next three years.

Our conversation with Ridley Scott took place in September, and we’ve since learned that his plans have changed. When we spoke to him, he was working on a Bee Gees biopic; that project has now been delayed, and he’s reportedly...