Denzel Washington commands ancient Rome and movie theaters with 'Gladiator II'
The biggest surprise of “Gladiator II” is not that Denzel Washington is great.
The biggest surprise of “Gladiator II” is not that Denzel Washington is great. Instead, it’s how pivotal his character Macrinus is to the long-awaited sequel starring Paul Mescal as the heir of Russell Crowe’s iconic character Maximus.
The sequel revolves around Mescal’s character stepping into his destiny as Lucius, the son of a great warrior and grandson of an emperor. But it’s Washington’s Macrinus who moves “Gladiator II” forward.
Far more than a mere villain, Macrinus is a saboteur and opportunist in this Roman Empire epic, where those taken as slaves are forced to fight in an arena before an audience with a grim outcome: kill or be killed.
“His grand purpose,” Washington told NBC News, “is to take over the world.”
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, Pedro Pascal plays Gen. Acacius and Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla in “Gladiator II.”Aidan Monaghan / Paramount PicturesTo select his gladiators, Macrinus leans into their rage. Not only does Macrinus look for that rage in the potential gladiators he purchases, but the former gladiator also stokes it.
Rating: 5