Denzel Washington Reacts to Backlash to His Role in Gladiator 2

One of the most anticipated movies of the year, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, has been facing criticism ever since the release of the first trailer this summer. First, many viewers had harsh words to say about the use of Jay-Z and Kanye West’sNo Church in the Wild, and now one of the movie’s stars, Denzel Washington, is in the eye of the critical storm. This time, it’s his accent that has antagonized some viewers. Washington’s Macrinus is from an unknown North African country, but some have pointed out that Washington was simply using his own New York accent instead of taking on a more accurate one.

Now, the acclaimed actor has defended his decision to use his own accent. In an interview with Empire, the two-time Oscar-winner explained that it was to avoid a potentially bad imitation of an African accent. Check out what Washington had to say below:

The Choice of Accent Makes Sense for the Gladiator 2 Character

As well as sticking with his own accent to avoid sounding inauthentic, parodic or even offensive, Washington’s choice is also supported by the film itself. Since his character who, according to Scott, is “an arms dealer who supplies food for the armies in Europe, supplies wine and oil, makes steel, makes spears, weapons, cannons, and catapults” and a power broker who “has a stable of gladiators”, isn’t from Rome, his accent would have differed from the other emperors, enslaved people and attendees at the Colosseum. So, while an African accent may have arguably been more accurate geographically and historically, Scott and Washington evidently decided to go for the safe option. Unfortunately, it’s not an option that was criticism-proof.

Why Washington has so far been the only Gladiator II actor that has been under scrutiny for the absence of an authentic accent is open to speculation, as most of the movie’s cast speak with an English accent anyway.

Just like in the original Gladiator, during which Maximus (Russell Crowe) is sold into slavery in North Africa, North Africa is a critical location in the sequel. The story, written by Peter Craig and David Scarpa, centers around Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, the young heir to the Roman Empire who, after his house on the North African coast is invaded by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), also finds himself sold into slavery. Now, he has to fight for Washington’s character during the reign of co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).