AceShowbiz - In the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning film, "Gladiator," Denzel Washington steps into the role of Macrinus, an arms dealer and former gladiator, whose ambitions mirror those of certain modern-day politicians. Directed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator II" features Washington in a character that Scott candidly describes as "very close to Trump."

The new film, set years after the original, presents Macrinus as a wealthy, influential figure deeply entrenched in Rome's power struggles. "[Macrinus] was a prisoner of war - probably at a North African state - and actually was taken to Rome probably as a gladiator. Survived. Got free. Got into the business of maybe making wine and bread. He evolved into a very rich merchant selling s**t to the Roman armies - food, oil, wine, cloth, weapons, everything," Scott explained to The Hollywood Reporter.

However, what makes Macrinus particularly compelling is his cunning nature and strategic manipulation of chaos. Scott elaborates, "He's also a gangster - very close to Trump. A clever gangster. He creates chaos and from chaos he can evolve."

Washington himself adds depth to this portrayal, describing Macrinus as someone who is willing to exploit anyone, including his own family, in his quest for power. "He's trying to use everybody. He'd use his mother, he'd use his own children; he's already used up his soul, so he didn't have any left. He's in bed with the devil," Washington told THR.

Washington's performance has garnered significant attention, sparking Oscar buzz. The 70-year-old actor, who has been sober for nearly a decade, reflected on his journey to Esquire, saying, "I've done a lot of damage to the body. We'll see. I've been clean. Be 10 years this December. I stopped at 60 and I haven't had a thimble's worth since. Things are opening up for me now - like being 70. It's real. And it's OK. This is the last chapter - if I get another 30, what do I want to do? My mother made it to 97."

"Gladiator II" also involves other stellar performances by Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal. The original film's star, Russell Crowe, expressed interest in returning, but his character's death in the first film presented significant challenges. Despite creative ideas, Scott and Crowe ultimately couldn't find a satisfying way to reincorporate Maximus into the sequel.

"Gladiator II" is now playing in theaters, promising a thrilling continuation of the Roman epic with Washington's Macrinus at its center, reflecting both ancient ambition and modern political intrigue.