Denzel Washington is amazed by Gladiator II’s production quality.
On the red carpet at TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, Nov. 18 for the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Washington said he’s never worked on a movie like Gladiator II.
In the film, the legendary actor plays Macrinus, keeper of the gladiators.
“Too big, I couldn’t believe it,” Washington said about the epic sets and fight scenes in the film.
“I was like – I’ve never been in a movie like this. I’ve never been on a red carpet like this, the budget is [bigger than] most of the movies I’ve made. In fact, I’m stealing some of the sets,” he quipped.
Related: ‘Gladiator II’ Trailer: Denzel Washington Vows to Control an Empire
The sequel to the 2000 epic film Gladiator takes place years after, Lucius (Paul Mescal) witnesses the revered hero Maximus’ death.
Lucius is now the one forced to enter the arena after his home was conquered by the tyrannical emperors.
Washington, 69, had nothing but praise for Mescal and their co-stars, which include Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One), Fred Hechinger (Thelma), Lior Raz (Hit & Run), Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius), and Connie Nielsen — who reprises her role 24 years after the first film.
“It’s a great ensemble. [Ridley Scott] put together a lot of theater actors, there were no stars, just good actors doing our job,” the two-time Academy Award winner said.
Gladiator II was released nationwide on Friday, Nov. 22.
Below is the video of Denzel Washington and the cast at the Los Angeles premiere:
