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 acclaimed recent roles.Gladiator II’s castboasts a range of impressive performers, ranging from franchise returners like Connie Nielsen, to newcomers like Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal. However, while there are a number of roles deservedly attracting interest, it is Washington’s that seems the most intriguing.
Set 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– previously seen inGladiatoras the nephew of the diabolical Commodus – who has moved on from his troubled past. However, events beyond his control see him enslaved and pressed into service as a gladiator, where he crosses paths with Denzel Washington’s Macrius – an ambitious businessman and arms dealer. Much of Macrinus' role remains obscure. However, what is known about the character confirms some key similarities with another Washington project.
Denzel Washington’s Gladiator 2 Character Explained: Everything We Know About Macrinus
Denzel Washington’s Gladiator 2 character is a new addition to the franchise who looks set to play a pivotal role reminiscent of an earlier story.
Denzel Washington’s Macrinus Is A Perfect Macbeth Follow-up
The Characters Have Some Fascinating Parallels
In isolation, the prospect of seeing Washington play the Machiavellian, scheming Macrinus is fascinating. As an actor,Washington is not known for his villainous roles, and Macrinus certainly seems morally 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 previous Denzel Washington role –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 men have a lot in common. InThe Tragedy of Macbeth, the titular warlord becomes obsessed with political power,ultimately murdering a monarch in a bid to seize the crown. While his ambition ultimately proves his downfall, he is a ruthless operator, who succeeds in ascending to the Scottish throne by dint of his iron resolve and willingness to do whatever it takes.
TheGladiator IItrailer, and supporting comments made by Ridley Scott, confirm that Macrinus is cut from the same cloth. In the footage, he is shown negotiating with politicians, openly admitting that he seesMescal’s Lucius as a tool through which he can achieve greater power. This is supported by Scott, who in an interview withVanity Fairdescribed Macrinus as an “arms dealer” and “pretty f***ing cruel” in his approach. To see Washington play such a character, particularly after the success he made ofThe Tragedy of Macbeth, makesGladiator IIeven more exciting.
Macrinus And Macbeth Have Some Surprising Connections
Macrinus' Real History Is A Macbeth Template
It’s not just ambition and unscrupulousness that link Washington’s Macrinus and Macbeth. In fact, the Roman’s real history invites even closer comparison between the two men. While it’s unclear what direction Macrinus’Gladiator IIstory might take,the real Macrinus who inspired the character was almost a proto-Macbeth– seizing the throne by assassinating the Roman emperor.
In 217, the historical Macrinus conspired to murderCaracalla (played by Fred Hechinger inGladiator II), seizing power and becoming emperor in his own right. However, although he had the support of the army, his rule did not last.Barely a year later, he himself was deposedand executed before he could secure his dynasty.
…there’s an inescapable sense thatTheTragedy of MacbethandGladiator IIhave become an inadvertent double-bill, potentially exploring two sides of the same political coin.
Even if Washington had not played both Macrinus and Macbeth, the parallels between the two figures would be uncanny.Both sought to seize their respective thrones, were ultimately successful, and yet also fell victim to their hubris. With Washington’s involvement in both adaptations of the story creating an even stronger connection, there’s an inescapable sense thatTheTragedy of MacbethandGladiator IIhave become an inadvertent double-bill, potentially exploring two sides of the same political coin.
Denzel Washington’s Gladiator 2 Character Makes Gladiator 3 Seem Inevitable
Denzel Washington will feature prominently in Gladiator 2, but his character’s real history makes a third movie almost impossible to avoid.
Macrinus Can Be Even More Interesting Than Macbeth
His Story Has Yet To Be Told
There’s no denying that Macbeth’s story, whether told in Coen’s film or elsewhere, is a timeless and potent reminder of the perils of power. After all, there’s a reason why the original Shakespeare play has been continually adapted, reworked, and molded for modern audiences for almost 500. However, as resonant asMacbethremains, there’s a real chance thatWashington’s Macrinus can be even more interesting than his take on Shakespeare’s character– despite the acclaim enjoyed byThe Tragedy of Macbeth.
It’s partly because Macbeth’s story is so familiar that Macrinus seems so intriguing. Unlike the Shakespeare play, Macrinus' own, equally thrilling tale of political ambition has yet to be told to mainstream audiences.This will makeGladiator IIfeel fresh, new, and unpredictable– even if the beats of the story are ultimately familiar.
…Macrinus seems pretty clear-eyed about his own political project, inviting Lucius into his conspiracy and flagrantly displaying his desire for power.
There’s also the fact thatMacrinus is a different type of character to Macbeth. In the play and Joel Coen’s film, Macbeth is transformed by his lust for power, turning from a loyal subject to a schemer once the seeds are planted by the witches in the story’s opening scene. By contrast, Macrinus seems pretty clear-eyed about his own political project, inviting Lucius into his conspiracy and flagrantly displaying his desire for power. This promises to provide a contrast to the traditionalMacbethstory and meansGladiator IIwill be more than a sly remake of Shakespeare’s classic.
Why Russell Crowe Isn’t In Gladiator 2
While there are seemingly obvious narrative reasons why Russell Crowe didn’t return 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 measures,Macbethwas a huge success for Washington. Not only did the movie itself receive rave reviews (scoring 92% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes) and multiple award nominations, but Washington himself was particularly commended for his performance in the title role. The 69-year-old received a slew of award nominations,including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. However, despite these plaudits, there remains the possibility thatGladiator IIcan go one better.
Even though his Macbeth performance was almost universally hailed, it still failed to deliverWashington a third Academy Award. Yet whereThe Tragedy of Macbethfailed,Gladiator IIcan potentially succeed. Not only has Washington already proven how capable he is of delivering an awards-caliber performance as a character like Macrinus, but theGladiatorfranchise has a history with the Oscars. The original film secured Russell Crowe a Best Actor Academy Award, so there’s precedent to suggest the follow-up could yield a similar result. This history, combined with Washington’s track record, makes another acting Oscar a distinct possibility.
