People have been obsessed with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II ever since the first trailer came out and we saw Denzel Washington’s “rich unc of antiquity” vibe. We went from “who wants to see a Gladiator movie starring Paul Mescal” to “damn, Denzel is going to win an Oscar for orchestrating the fall of the Roman Empire.” What’s interesting, to me, is that Denzel was much more closely associated with Ridley Scott’s brother, the late Tony Scott. Denzel worked with Tony Scott as many times as he’s worked with Spike Lee. They were very close collaborators and friends. Denzel also worked on Ridley’s American Gangster, so they got along well too. Apparently, Ridley had been itching to do another movie with Denzel, and the role in Gladiator II was basically written for Denzel. Well, Denzel recently chatted about working with the Scott brothers and more in Empire:

Working with Ridley again: This time, Washington is donning ancient Roman gear as Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who “wants to be Emperor and he’s willing to do anything to get there,” he tells Empire in the world-exclusive Gladiator II issue. Having worked with both Scott brothers, Washington has experienced their individual brilliance first-hand. “I don’t compare directors,” he says. “You see the different personalities. I suppose they do [have similarities]. On the days when we’re shooting, I’m busy with what I’m doing. So I’m not comparing this one to that one, but obviously both are great filmmakers. They can’t miss.”

Denzel was inspired to join the cast because it interested him: “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 says. Plus, the success of their previous collaboration helped. “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on American Gangster], and here we are.” In the near-two-decades since they last worked together, Scott hasn’t lost any of his energy or edge. “He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” Washington says. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”

[From Empire]

I got a little bit emotional, thinking about the late Tony Scott and how much Ridley and Denzel probably both miss him tremendously. Ridley has made it clear, in other interviews, that casting Denzel was very important and I strongly suspect a big part of the story is built around Macrinus and his schemes. As for this – “There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in” – he’s 69 years old. I hope this is the start of Denzel phasing in the character-actor part of his career. Showing up in ensembles, stealing scenes, not having the entire film rest on his shoulders.

The full length trailer just came out today!! Whoever cut this trailer is an agent of chaos – it’s both too revealing AND confusing as hell. Denzel looks amazing though.

Screencaps and poster from ‘Gladiator II’.