The Yogi Adityanath government has decided to withhold August salaries of officers who don’t declare their properties by August 31 deadline
Renowned actor Denzel Washington has recently opened up about why he chose to star in the long-anticipated sequel by Ridley Scott, Gladiator 2. It is the sequel to the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, which picks up two decades after the death of Maximus, as played by Russell Crowe, and chronicles the rise of Lucius to become a gladiator in the Colosseum, portrayed by Paul Mescal. In this historical epic, Washington becomes Macrinus, a rich arms dealer with a stable of gladiators that he pairs with fresh faces and returning characters.
Speaking recently with Empire, Washington discussed what had drawn him to this role in particular. He cited the big draw for him as the opportunity to reunite with Ridley Scott, whom he’d worked with on the highly acclaimed American Gangster. There are, he said, very few films at his level of experience that he is interested in; the chance to work with Scott again was a big factor.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker,” Washington expressed. He went on to point out what struck him about Scott’s vitality, exuberance, and dynamism: “He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration. We should all want to feel like that at 86.”
In Gladiator 2, his character is that of an ambitious man named Macrinus. He described the character—Macrinus—as a mighty weapon trader with ambitions to become Emperor, and he will do everything in his power to make that a reality. This intricately nuanced character brings a new layer of interest to the movie already housing Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen.
Although Washington did speak of being choosy about the roles, he has not yet announced his retirement. In addition to Gladiator 2, some of the new projects to which he is committed include the crime thriller High and Low and an untitled film with Antoine Fuqua, their third collaboration after Training Day and The Equalizer. Moreover, Washington will return to Broadway in 2025 in a production of William Shakespeare’s Othello, which also includes Jake Gyllenhaal.
Washington has garnered a total of ten Academy Award nominations, winning two for Glory in 1989 and Training Day in 2001. In addition to acting, he pursued directing, through which he came out with four feature films, while his production credits include much more, among them the August Wilson adaptations Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Even so, his influence on the industry will be felt even more through the next film, The Piano Lesson, starring his son John David Washington and directed by another of his sons, Malcolm Washington.
As Gladiator II is about to come out, so are expectations to see Washington nail the role of Macrinus and a story full of wonder in this much-anticipated sequel. Gladiator II, from Paramount Pictures, will be in theaters Nov. 22.
ALSO READ: Gladiator II: Denzel Washington Is All Praise For Ridley And Tom Scott; Speaks On Comparison Between Directors
Missed Bollywood’s top news today while enjoying the weekend? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Shraddha Kapoor has surpassed Priyanka Chopra to become the second most-followed person on Instagram. Plus, a viral unseen photo from a photographer’s meet shows Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan warmly greeting each other. And there’s more—check out all the day’s top Bollywood news below!
Indian cricketer KL Rahul has addressed the fallout from his appearance on Koffee With Karan, where he and Hardik Pandya faced intense backlash and a suspension from the Indian cricket team in 2019 due to their candid comments about their personal lives. In a heartfelt discussion with Nikhil Kamath on his podcast, Rahul revealed how the controversy profoundly affected him, altering his self-perception and confidence. He shared that the experience was a turning point, making him feel scarred and significantly impacting his sense of self. Reflecting on his suspension, Rahul admitted he was unprepared for such harsh treatment, having never faced similar consequences during his school years, despite occasional mischief.
Actor Vindu Dara Singh has officially joined the cast of Ajay Devgn’s upcoming comedy-drama Son Of Sardaar 2 and has commenced filming. In a recent interview with The Times of India, Singh confirmed his collaboration with Devgn, expressing his enthusiasm about the project. He revealed that they have been friends since childhood and share a strong bond. Although the film retains the same title, Singh noted that the storyline is new and filled with humor, promising a highly entertaining experience for audiences. He also emphasized the familial nature of his relationship with Devgn, stating, “Ajay is like family to me.”
Veteran photographer Pradeep Bandekar passed away in August 2024, and a prayer meeting was held in Mumbai on August 23 to honor his memory. During the condolence gathering, Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were photographed embracing each other warmly. A fan page on Instagram recently shared this touching moment, capturing Aamir Khan greeting his close friend Shah Rukh Khan at the event dedicated to Bandekar.
Priyanka Chopra attended her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding to Neelam Upadhyaya in Mumbai on Friday evening. She turned heads in a striking burgundy saree, exuding elegance and charm. Photos from the event, which have recently gone viral, capture her with relatives and her mother, Dr. Madhu Chopra. Priyanka’s outfit was enhanced by a layered pearl choker and matching earrings, adding a regal touch. She also gave a heartfelt speech with her mother by her side. The pictures offer a glimpse of the bride and groom-to-be, as well as Neelam and Siddharth delivering their speech.
Shraddha Kapoor, recently celebrated for her role in the blockbuster Stree 2, has edged out global icon Priyanka Chopra to become the second most-followed Indian on Instagram. As of 3:00 PM on August 24, Kapoor boasts 91,910,709 followers, surpassing Chopra’s 91,839,504. Virat Kohli remains the top Indian on the platform with over 270 million followers. This achievement makes Shraddha Kapoor the most-followed woman in India, the leading Bollywood celebrity globally, and the top-followed actress in India.
Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more.
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