Denzel Washington has revealed why he stuck with his American accent to play his role as a former North African slave in Gladiator 2.
Washington, looks set to feature prominently in the upcoming film playing Macrinus, a character who schemes to control Rome and becomes a brutal mentor to Lucius, portrayed by Paul Mescal.
When the Gladiator 2 trailer dropped last month, fans quickly noticed that the 69-year-old wasn’t attempting to use an African accent or even slightly switch up his very distinctive voice for the upcoming sequel to Sir Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
It stood out all the more because the majority of his co-stars’ characters have British accents.
Addressing the decision in a new interview with Empire, the Oscar-winning actor – known for hit movies including Flight, Training Day and Fences - explained: "Well, the thing was, where are we?
“Whose accent would it be? What does that sound like anyway?" He added: "You’re going to end up imitating someone and end up with a bad African accent."
The actor's choice still sparks reactions on social media. One user on X, commented: "Denzel Washington, like other great actors before him—Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier—has decided that whatever accent he has is what accent the character has."
Another wrote: "I love Denzel but his accent sticks out like a sore thumb and is too distracting in Gladiator.” A third comented, “I think it’s kinda disrespectful that he’s playing an African and hasn’t even tried to do some form of the accent - lazy."
Defending the actor, a fan commented: "Imagine criticising THE Denzel Washington about his accent in a movie set in Rome where everyone is speaking checks notes ENGLISH."
Meanwhile, one joked: "I love how in the trailer everyone has a British accent and Denzel still sounds like a man from round the way."
Fans have also been pointing out how remarkably youthful Washington, who turns 70 in December, looks in the film, with one tweeting: "I don’t know how I’m supposed to act. A 60+ man is the oldest and hottest man in this movie."
Despite the buzz around Gladiator 2, Washington also hinted that his time in front of the camera might be winding down as there are not many projects offered to him these days that appeal.
"There are few films I’m interested in making these days," he told Empire. "I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley... He’s an inspiration. We should all want to feel like that at 86."
Gladiator 2 is set for release on November 15.
