Denzel Washington Says He Made Some Bad Movies After ‘Malcolm X’

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As a lifelong admirer and student of the craft, I can confidently say that Denzel Washington is not only one of the greatest actors of our time but also a living testament to resilience and dedication. His journey in Hollywood, marked by highs and lows, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his art.

Regarded as one of the top actors in Hollywood, he considers himself to have faced numerous ups and downs throughout his remarkable career. In Spike Lee’s 1992 film Malcolm X, Washington felt this was particularly true following his exceptional portrayal.

In an interview with The Times, Washington discussed the immense expectations he faced after his iconic role. He clarified that the pressure of trying to meet specific standards, along with his desire to stay engaged within the industry, caused him to appear in films that didn’t deliver blockbuster successes. He put it simply: “I’ve been in movies that fell short, but I needed to keep working.

Following Malcolm X, I produced several less-than-stellar projects. You can find them if you search – I won’t name them here. They were all from the 1990s. At that time, I was accumulating wealth and shouldering responsibilities. In life, one learns, earns, and eventually gives back. So, if a person lives for 90 years, they spend their first 30 years learning, the next 30 years earning… During that period, I was primarily focused on earning. With a talented agent by my side, my career flourished, leading to financial success. Concurrently, life also became more complex, with bills, four children, and a house to maintain.

Although Washington’s evaluation of his ’90s career may seem a bit severe, it’s important to note that his roles in films such as “The Pelican Brief,” “Courage Under Fire,” “Crimson Tide,” and “The Preacher’s Wife” are hard to compare with a perceived low point for Nicolas Cage. It appears that Washington’s lowest points may not be as apparent to others, which might suggest that people are often their harshest critics when it comes to themselves.

Denzel Washington is Back on the Oscar Trail with Gladiator II

Although Washington has clearly had some minor missteps in his long career, he has proven to be a consistent actor to a point that his name appearing on a cast list immediately elevates any project. After hits such as Training Day, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor, Man on Fire, and Fences, which he also directed, Washington is now stepping into the Roman arena as slave owner Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II.

As I eagerly await its theater release next week, I can’t help but share my excitement for the upcoming film, particularly given the rave reviews pouring in for Denzel Washington’s exceptional performance. Critics are hailing him as a “consummate professional,” and some even speculate that another Oscar nod might be within his reach. Admittedly, it’s still early days, but let me tell you: when it comes to Washington, one rarely walks into a movie expecting anything less than brilliant. After all, he is a master of his craft, and it’s always a treat to witness his artistry unfold on the big screen.

More casually, we can say: Just announced, Denzel Washington will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe with an unspecified role in an upcoming, as-yet untitled Black Panther 3. Though Washington isn’t sure about the specifics of his part or even if he should have mentioned it, he did acknowledge apologizing to writer Ryan Coogler for prematurely disclosing that the film is in production. This new project adds to the list of exciting ventures from one of the greatest actors ever.

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2024-11-17 03:32