Denzel Washington drops bombshell in Aussie TV interview

Acting legend Denzel Washington made a surprise announcement during an interview on Australian television this week.

Hollywood acting legend Denzel Washington dropped a bombshell during an Australian TV interview this week: He’s going to retire after his next batch of films.

Washington appeared via videolink on Tuesday’s episode ofThe Today Show, interviewed by showbiz reporter Richard Wilkins alongside his co-stars in the new film Gladiator II.

“I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. Probably not that many,” Washington, who turns 70 next month, confessed towards the end of the interview.

“I want to do things I haven’t done. I’ve played Othello at 22, I’m about to play Othello at 70,” he said. He will play the titular role in the Shakespeare play on Broadway alongside Jake Gyllenhaal from February next year.

“After that I’m playing Hannibal. After that I’ve been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that Ryan Coogler’s writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.”

Richard Wilkins spoke to the stars of Gladiator II.

Denzel Washington revealed he’s only got a few more roles left.

He added, “After that I’m going to do the film Othello. After that I’m going to do King Lear. After that I’m going to retire.”

By our count, that’s six upcoming projects across stage and film, so fans will still have a few more Washington roles to enjoy before he calls time on an acting career that’s spanned almost 50 years now.

Across his stellar career, he’s appeared in more than 50 films, won two Oscars from 10 nominations), three Golden Globes, and a host of other prestigious awards.

Washington also spoke to news.com.au’s Bronte Coy in London during his current Gladiator II promotional blitz – you can watch their chat in the video at the top of this story.

Washington told news.com.au that Ridley Scott’s involvement convinced him to sign on for Gladiator II. Picture: Toru Hanai/Getty

And in their interview, he offered some potential insight into why he’s planning his retirement, telling her that this far into his career, there are “less and less challenges”.

But he said one factor heavily weighted his decision to sign on for the long-awaited Gladiator sequel, 20 years on from the original film.

“It was the filmmaker,” he told news.com.au, referencing the return of the original’s director, Ridley Scott.

The pair have teamed up in the past – and Washington described him as “one of the best directors” he’s ever worked with.

“He’s brilliant,” the actor declared.

“Ridley and I had great success together with American Gangster … so when he called me, I said yes. Whatever it was, I was going to do it. Because it’s him.”

Gladiator II is released in Australian cinemas tomorrow.

Originally published as Denzel Washington drops bombshell in Aussie TV interview