Gladiator II

Summary

Denzel Washington ’s role inGladiator IIis one of the most exciting aspects of the 2024 blockbuster , in part due to its similarities with one of the actor ’s most hail late roles . Gladiator II ’s castboasts a range of telling performers , wander from enfranchisement returners like Connie Nielsen , to newcomers like Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal . However , while there are a number of roles deservedly attract interestingness , it is Washington ’s that seems the most intriguing .

fix decades on from theoriginalGladiator ’s ending , Gladiator IIwill tell a similar story of revenge set amidst the backdrop of Rome ’s iconic Colosseum . Paul Mescal plays Lucius – antecedently go steady inGladiatoras the nephew of the diabolical Commodus – who has moved on from his troubled past . However , events beyond his dominance see him enslaved and constrict into inspection and repair as a gladiator , where he cross paths with Denzel Washington ’s Macrius – an challenging man of affairs and blazonry dealer . Much of Macrinus ' persona remain obscure . However , what is known about the character confirms some key similarities with another Washington task .

Denzel Washington ’s Gladiator 2 grapheme is a raw addition to the dealership who looks set to play a polar character reminiscent of an earlier story .

Gladiator II Official Poster

The Characters Have Some Fascinating Parallels

In isolation , the prospect of seeing Washington wager the Machiavellian , scheming Macrinus is enthralling . As an actor , Washington is not known for his nefarious roles , and Macrinus certainly seems virtuously questionable enough to be counted among his limited resume . While this element is intriguing , however , the most interesting aspect of Macrinus ' character is how similar he seems to a premature Denzel Washington part – the Shakespearean tragic villain Macbeth , whom Washington memorably played in Joel Coen ’s critically acclaimedThe Tragedy of Macbeth .

From the context of the two stories , it ’s clear that the two man have a lot in common . InThe Tragedy of Macbeth , the titulary warlord becomes taken up with political great power , in the end remove a milkweed butterfly in a bid to seize the crown . While his ambition ultimately proves his ruination , he is a ruthless operator , who succeeds in ascending to the Scotch throne by dint of his smoothing iron resolve and willingness to do whatever it takes .

Macrinus And Macbeth Have Some Surprising Connections

Macrinus' Real History Is A Macbeth Template

It ’s not just ambitiousness and unscrupulousness that link Washington ’s Macrinus and Macbeth . In fact , the Roman ’s real story invite even closer comparing between the two man . While it ’s unclear what focussing Macrinus’Gladiator IIstory might take , the real Macrinus who inspired the character was almost a proto - Macbeth – seizing the throne by assassinating the Romanist Saturnia pavonia .

In 217 , the historical Macrinus collude to murderCaracalla ( played by Fred Hechinger inGladiator II ) , take over power and becoming emperor in his own right . However , although he had the backup of the army , his rule did not last . scarcely a year subsequently , he himself was deposedand execute before he could secure his dynasty .

… there ’s an inescapable horse sense thatTheTragedy of MacbethandGladiator IIhave become an inadvertent twofold - visor , potentially explore two side of the same political coin .

Denzel Washington as Macrinus in front of a tomato

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Even if Washington had not play both Macrinus and Macbeth , the analogue between the two figures would be uncanny . Both sought to seize their various thrones , were ultimately successful , and yet also fell dupe to their hubris . With Washington ’s involvement in both adaptations of the story creating an even stronger connexion , there ’s an inescapable sense thatTheTragedy of MacbethandGladiator IIhave become an accidental double - bill , potentially exploring two sides of the same political coin .

Denzel Washington will feature prominently in Gladiator 2 , but his fiber ’s real history makes a third film almost impossible to fend off .

Macrinus Can Be Even More Interesting Than Macbeth

His Story Has Yet To Be Told

There ’s no denying that Macbeth ’s story , whether differentiate in Coen ’s movie or elsewhere , is a timeless and stiff reminder of the peril of power . After all , there ’s a reason why the original Shakespeare free rein has been continually adapted , retread , and determine for modern audiences for almost 500 . However , as resonant asMacbethremains , there ’s a real prospect thatWashington ’s Macrinus can be even more interesting than his take on Shakespeare ’s character – despite the acclaim enjoy byThe Tragedy of Macbeth .

It ’s part because Macbeth ’s story is so conversant that Macrinus seems so intriguing . Unlike the Shakespeare looseness , Macrinus ' own , equally thrilling tale of political ambition has yet to be told to mainstream audience . This will makeGladiator IIfeel fresh , Modern , and irregular – even if the beats of the story are ultimately familiar .

… Macrinus seems somewhat clear - eyed about his own political project , invite Lucius into his conspiracy and flagrantly display his desire for office .

Macrinus (Denzel Washington) seated in a golden chair and looking thoughtful in Gladiator 2

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There ’s also the fact thatMacrinus is a different type of character to Macbeth . In the play and Joel Coen ’s flick , Macbeth is transformed by his luxuria for mogul , turning from a loyal subject to a schemer once the seeds are planted by the witches in the story ’s gap scene . By contrast , Macrinus seems pretty clear - eyed about his own political project , inviting Lucius into his conspiracy and flagrantly displaying his desire for powerfulness . This promises to ply a direct contrast to the traditionalMacbethstory and meansGladiator IIwill be more than a sly remaking of Shakespeare ’s classic .

While there are seemingly obvious narrative reasons why Russell Crowe did n’t reelect for Gladiator 2 , the full story is more complicated .

Macrinus Can Deliver For Washington Where Macbeth Failed

It Has The Potential To Gain Real Recognition

By most measuring rod , Macbethwas a huge succeeder for Washington . Not only did the movie itself receive rave review ( score 92 % on critical review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes ) and multiple award nomination , but Washington himself was particularly recommend for his performance in the title role . The 69 - year - quondam take in a slew of prize nominations , including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor . However , despite these plaudits , there stay the possibility thatGladiator IIcan go one better .

Even though his Macbeth execution was almost universally hailed , it still failed to deliverWashington a third Academy Award . Yet whereThe Tragedy of Macbethfailed , Gladiator IIcan potentially deliver the goods . Not only has Washington already prove how capable he is of delivering an awards - caliber performance as a character like Macrinus , but theGladiatorfranchise has a account with the Oscars . The original film secure Russell Crowe a Best Actor Academy Award , so there ’s precedent to suggest the succeed - up could give way a standardized resultant role . This history , blend with Washington ’s track book , nominate another act Oscar a distinguishable possibility .

generator : Vanity Fair

Collage of Denzel Washington as Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth with Russell Crowe as Maximus wearing a mask in Gladiator

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Cast

Denzel Washington as Macrinus in Gladiator 2 looking serious

Paul Mescal and Russell Crowe side by side in the Gladiator movies

Headshot Of Paul Mescal In The 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Gladiator II