Moviefone Editorial

Tag: high-and-low

  • Denzel Washington Says He’ll Have a Role in ‘Black Panther 3’

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

    Preview:

    • Denzel Washington says a role is being crafted for him in ‘Black Panther 3’
    • Marvel has yet to officially confirm the movie.
    • Washington will next be seen in ‘Gladiator II.’

    When Denzel Washington speaks, people listen. And we’re definitely ready to listen when the Oscar-winning actor, who is doing the press rounds for Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II,’ says a role is being written for him in a hotly anticipated movie.

    Speaking to the Today show on Australia’s Channel 9, Washington was asked about future plans, especially since just a couple of months about he was hinting about retiring from at least acting.

    Here’s what he said:

    “At this point in my career, I’m only interested in working with the best, I don’t know how many more films I will make, probably not that many. I want to do things that I haven’t done. I played Othello at 22, I’m now going to play it at 70. After that, I’m playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ ”

    Wait, what?!

    What’s the status of Black Panther 3?

    'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' director Ryan Coogler.
    ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ director Ryan Coogler.

    While we –– and indeed, the world at large –– would most definitely be happy to see Denzel Washington in the MCU, Marvel has of yet not confirmed that a third ‘Black Panther’ movie is even happening, and co-writer/director/franchise overseer Ryan Coogler hasn’t officially dropped word he’s making another movie.

    It would hardly surprise us though –– the first ‘Black Panther’ was a zeitgeisty triumph, earning more than a billion at the box office. And while follow up ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ had to reckon with the tragic death of star Chadwick Boseman and the aftereffects of the pandemic on moviegoing, it also managed to take in more than $859 million at the box office.

    So far, Coogler is pushing the story forward in other ways, including the ‘Ironheart’ Disney+ series featuring the character of young inventor Riri Williams, as played by Dominique Thorne in ‘Wakanda Forever.’ That show launches in June next year.

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    And there is also animated offering ‘Eyes of Wakanda,’ which also debuts on Disney+ on August 6th.

    Here’s the thing, though: if you can get Denzel Washington in your movie, you get Denzel Washington in your movie. And while we seriously doubt he would sign up for a recurring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a one-shot as potentially a villain or some other character in a new ‘Black Panther’ is something to anticipate. Let’s see what happens…

    What else does Denzel Washington have coming up?

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

    Next up for the actor is the aforementioned ‘Gladiator II,’ in theaters on November 22nd.

    He’s also worked on Spike Lee’s new movie, ‘High and Low,’ which is in post-production but doesn’t yet have an announced release date.

    The Hannibal project he mentioned is the movie about the warrior who took on the Roman Republic, which Antoine Fuqua is directing.

    Related Article: Denzel Washington Drops More Hints He May be Looking to Retire from Acting

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

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    Buy Tickets: ‘Gladiator II’ Movie Showtimes

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  • Denzel Washington Hints He May be Retiring from Acting

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

    Related Article: 45 Best Denzel Washington Movies of All Time

    What’s happening with Denzel Washington?

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    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?

    Denzel Washington and Spike Lee in 'Malcolm X.'
    (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.

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    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.
    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.

    Denzel Washington in 'Man on Fire'.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    List of Denzel Washington Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies on Amazon

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  • Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Re-Team For New Movie

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

    Preview:

    • Denzel Washington will star in ‘High and low’.
    • Spike Lee is directing the new movie.
    • The film will remake a 1960s Akira Kurosawa crime thriller.

    The idea of Denzel Washington and director Spike Lee teaming back up to work on a new movie together is certainly one to anticipate given their past collaborations.

    Good news, then, for fans of the shared Spike/Denzel joints, as that’s exactly what is happening. Possibly more controversial (at least to those who worry about such things) is the fact that it’ll be a remake of no less a director’s work than Akira Kurosawa.

    ‘High and Low’ will be a new take on the 1963 crime thriller which starred Toshirô Mifune (another instance of a much-admired director/star combo).

    It’s not the first time Washington has led a remake –– ‘The Taking of Pelham 123’ springs to mind –– but with Lee directing, we’re confident it’ll be something interesting and fresh.

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    What’s the story of ‘High and Low’?

    Director Akira Kurosawa's 'High and Low.'
    Director Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low.’ Photo: Kurosawa Films.

    Kurosawa’s film is loosely based on the 1959 novel ‘King’s Ransom’ by Ed McBain (a pseudonym for Evan Hunter).

    It follows the story of a board member for a Japanese company who is forced to choose between using a vast amount of wealth to gain executive control and helping his chauffeur by lending him the money to free his child from kidnappers.

    Lee is writing the script for the new movie with Alan Fox, but don’t yet know whether this will be a direct remake of the original or what will be changed. Given that it’s Lee, we can imagine he’ll be adding his own themes and ideas to the story.

    Related Article: 45 Best Denzel Washington Movies of All Time

    What have Spike Lee and Denzel Washington collaborated on before?

    Actor Wesley Snipes, Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel Jackson and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington and present the Oscar to Honorary Award recipient Spike Lee at the 2015 Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 14, 2015.
    (L to R) Actor Wesley Snipes, Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel Jackson and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington and present the Oscar to Honorary Award recipient Spike Lee at the 2015 Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    ‘High and Low’ will mark the fifth time the two Oscar winners have worked together, most recently on 2006’s ‘Inside Man’, along with ‘Malcolm X’ (for which Washington was nominated for an Oscar), ‘He Got Game’ and ‘Mo’ Better Blues’.

    According to Deadline, this is a project they’ve wanted to work together on for a while now, but when the actors’ strike shifted schedules for various movies (including ‘Gladiator 2’, which Washington is starring in), that meant a delay from a planned 2023 shoot. With his duties on the ‘Gladiator’ sequel now complete, the actor is available, and Lee is planning to start shooting ‘High and Low’ in March.

    When will ‘High and Low’ be in theaters?

    While Apple and A24 are backing the new movie, it doesn’t yet have a set release date. There’s a chance Lee could have it ready for awards season, but we’d guess it’s more likely to be a 2025 entry. And the plan is for A24 to have it in theaters before it lands on Apple’s servers.

    Oscar® nominee Spike Lee arrives on the red carpet of The 91st Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 24, 2019.
    Oscar® nominee Spike Lee arrives on the red carpet of The 91st Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Other Spike Lee and Denzel Washington Movies:

    Buy Spike Lee Movies on Amazon

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