Denzel Washington
explains why he enjoys taking on villain roles in addition to the more heroic roles he’s often associated with. Washington remains one of the most respected actors working in Hollywood, and he’s widely known for more heroic roles, including in such projects as The Book of Eli (2010) and The Equalizer trilogy. He’s also just as well-known for playing morally-corrupted figures, however, as he did in Training Day (2001) and American Gangster (2007). He can next be seen as part of the cast of Gladiator 2, playing Macrinus, another antagonistic character.
During a recent interview with Esquire in which he breaks down his various roles, past, present, and future, Washington touches on his penchant for playing antagonist characters. The actor keeps his explanation short and sweet, explaining that the villain characters are often just more fun. Check out his comment below:
“Good guys don’t have any fun. Bad guys do have all the fun, especially in movies.”
What Denzel Washington’s Villain Roles Have Meant For His Career
One Antagonist Role Won Him An Oscar
Though calling some of Washington’s character’s “villains” or “bad guys” is an oversimplification, he clearly has an affinity for playing morally-corrupt figures. In American Gangster, for example, he plays Frank Lucas, a mobster working in the drug trade. Though Lucas is the protagonist of the story, he’s certainly not a hero. This Ridley Scott film earned an 81% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 90% audience score.
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All 6 Denzel Washington Villain Roles, Ranked Worst To Best
Denzel Washington has built his career by taking on diverse and challenging roles – including some of the most iconic villains in movie history.
It’s in Training Day that Washington plays his most iconic antagonist, however, in the form of Detective Alonzo Harris. Harris is a crooked cop, repeatedly butting heads with the film’s protagonist, Ethan Hawke’s Detective Jake Hoyt. The film, which is directed by Antoine Fuqua, was critically-acclaimed, and Washington’s performance won him his second Oscar. Washington hasn’t turned away from these types of roles in the decades since, playing morally-corrupt figures in movies like Safe House (2012), The Little Things (2021), and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021).
Washington won his first Oscar for his role as Silas Trip in Glory (1989), Edward Zwick’s Civil War drama.
Our Take On Washington’s Villain Roles
He’s Already Being Hailed As One Of The Best Parts Of Gladiator 2
One of the reasons why Washington remains one of Hollywood’s most legendary and respected actors is because he isn’t limited to just one kind of part. He appears across various genres and has played a number of very different characters. For every “bad guy” role he plays, he’s also played a more heroic one. Robert McCall in The Equalizer movies, for example, is a force for good in the world, using his lethal skills to help those who cannot help themselves.
The Gladiator 2 reviews have been generally positive thus far for the film as a whole, but Washington has been singled out as a particular highlight. Macrinus isn’t the main character, but Washington is clearly having a lot of fun playing this power-hungry character, and the positive response speaks to his ability to give life to all sorts of different figures. It’s not clear what Washington’s next antagonist role will be, but he hopefully keeps these types of characters coming in the years ahead.
Source: Esquire
Denzel Washington
- Birthdate
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December 28, 1954
- Birthplace
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Mount Vernon, New York, USA
