AceShowbiz - As Denzel Washington continues to contemplate retirement from acting, director Ridley Scott has convinced him to appear in the upcoming sequel "Gladiator II", set to premiere on November 22 in theaters. Washington expressed his admiration for Scott, saying, "I was tremendously inspired by Ridley." He praised Scott's engagement and excitement, describing him as an inspiration.

In "Gladiator II", Washington plays Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer who aspires to become Emperor. The sequel is a long-awaited follow-up to Scott's Oscar-winning 2000 film starring Russell Crowe. Director Scott has high hopes for the sequel, claiming it's "one of the best things" he's ever made, describing it as "full-bore, brutal action."

However, Washington has hinted at his potential retirement from acting. "There are very few films left for me to make that I'm interested in," he told Empire magazine. "I think there's less and less time I'll be spending in front of the camera."

Despite his намерение retirements, Washington's career continues to thrive. He has also directed and produced several acclaimed films, such as "Antwone Fisher", "The Great Debaters", "Fences" and "A Journal for Jordan". He is set to appear in the crime thriller "High and Low" and an untitled project with director Antoine Fuqua. In 2025, he will star in a Broadway production of William Shakespeare's "Othello"' alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

Although Washington has not explicitly announced his retirement, his recent comments suggest that he may be preparing to step away from acting. However, "Gladiator II" has proven to be a compelling project that has reignited his passion for filmmaking.