Denzel Washington isn’t upset at being snubbed for an Oscar for Gladiator II. The highly anticipated sequel has already generated significant buzz in the industry, with early screenings receiving positive reviews.
The 70-year-old star – who has won two Academy Awards from 10 nominations – was tipped to make the Best Supporting Actor shortlist for his performance as Macrinus in the blockbuster sequel, but was a notable omission. Washington’s previous Oscar wins came for Glory (1989) and Training Day (2001).
However, he insisted he doesn’t care because he has “been around too long” to take it to heart and he’s very content with his professional life. His career spans over four decades, with more than 50 major film roles to his credit.
“I was sitting there smiling, going: Look at you. On the day you didn’t get a nomination for an Oscar, you’re working on Othello on Broadway. Are you kidding me?” he told The New York Times newspaper. The Broadway production marks Washington’s return to the stage after his acclaimed performance in “The Iceman Cometh” in 2018.
He then joked: “Awww. Oh, I’m so upset.”
He continued: “Listen, I’ve been around too long. I’m getting wiser, working on talking less and learning to understand more — and that’s exciting.”
Washington will appear in “Othello” on Broadway with Jake Gyllenhaal late next month and he loves his “nuts” and “complicated” co-star. The production is set to be one of Broadway’s most anticipated shows of the season, with advance ticket sales breaking records.
“He’s nuts. I love him. He’s complicated. But he’s already got a handle on it. I’m not worried about that, because I don’t like to learn the lines too soon,” he said. Their collaboration marks the first time these two acclaimed actors have worked together on stage.
“I was telling a young actor who asked, ‘Why don’t you like to learn them too soon?’ I said: ‘Because then I’m the voice I’m listening to delivering the cues to myself. I want to hear it from you, and that’s going to affect how I say what I say.’ For me, that works.” This approach to character development has become a hallmark of Washington’s acclaimed acting method.
The Training Day star doesn’t worry too much about how his work is perceived any more because of his faith. Throughout his career, Washington has been open about the role spirituality plays in his artistic choices.
“At this point, everything I’m doing is through the lens of what God thinks, not what they think. I don’t know what they think. You go down that hole, you’ll never come out of that,” he said. His faith-driven approach to acting has influenced many young performers in Hollywood.
“When people say, ‘What do you want people to get from this movie?’ or ‘What do you want them to get from this play?’ I always say, ‘It depends upon what they bring to it.'”
“There’s some interesting themes [in ‘Othello’] of jealousy and envy and pain and death. And Kenny, the brilliant director, he’s putting it in what he calls the near future. So all of those things — jealousy, envy — it takes on a whole new thing with the information age.” The modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the timeless story.
This production of “Othello” marks Washington’s third Shakespearean role on Broadway, following his performances in “Julius Caesar” and “Richard III.” The actor’s commitment to classical theatre has earned him praise from critics and peers alike, cementing his status as one of America’s most versatile performers.
The upcoming Broadway production is directed by Kenny Leon, whose previous collaborations with Washington have received critical acclaim. The modernized setting promises to bring new relevance to Shakespeare’s themes of race, power, and betrayal in contemporary society.
