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- Denzel Washington said he’s planning to retire after “working with the best” on a few more films.
- “I want to do things that I haven’t done,” he said, naming Hannibal and King Lear as future roles.
- He also said director Ryan Coogler is writing a role for him in “Black Panther 3.”
Denzel Washington may not appear to be slowing down from the outside, but the 69-year-old actor revealed that he is actively contemplating retirement.
Denzel Washington, known for his upcoming role alongside Paul Mescal in “Gladiator II,” has a packed schedule for the next few years. He has already secured roles as the legendary military leader Hannibal in a Netflix movie directed by Antoine Fuqua, as well as reprising his role as Othello in a Broadway revival of Shakespeare’s renowned play.
During a recent interview on The Today Show Australia, Washington disclosed that he is currently engaged in discussions with acclaimed directors Steve McQueen and Ryan Coogler regarding potential upcoming collaborations. However, he also hinted that his involvement in future projects may be limited, suggesting that his time in the film industry could be drawing to a close.
“In my current stage of career, my focus lies solely on collaborating with the most exceptional talents. I cannot predict the exact number of future films I will partake in, but it is likely to be limited,” Washington expressed. “My aspirations revolve around exploring uncharted territories and venturing into unexplored realms.”
“I had the privilege of playing Othello when I was just 22, and now, at the age of 70, I am going to take on the role once again,” he enthusiastically shared. “But that’s not all. Following Othello, I have the incredible opportunity to portray Hannibal.
And if that weren’t enough, I’ve been in discussions with the talented Steve McQueen about a potential film project. On top of that, Ryan Coogler is even writing a part specifically for me in the highly anticipated next installment of ‘Black Panther.’
And after that, I have plans to tackle the iconic character of Othello once more. And finally, to top it all off, I have my sights set on bringing ‘King Lear’ to life on the big screen. And then… I think it might be time for me to retire.”
Marvel fans wasted no time seizing on Washington’s remark about the highly anticipated “Black Panther 3,” a film that has not yet been officially announced by the studio.
Ryan Coogler, the renowned filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning “Black Panther” (2018) and its highly anticipated sequel, “Wakanda Forever” (2022), has sparked speculation about the future of the iconic superhero. In the closing credits of “Wakanda Forever,” a clear message appears on the screen, assuring fans that “Black Panther will return.”
While this could be interpreted as a hint towards the upcoming Disney Plus spin-off series, “Eyes of Wakanda” and “Ironheart,” neither Coogler nor Disney has provided immediate comment on the matter.
Marvel has not officially announced a third “Black Panther” film yet, but they do have a number of other sequels in the works. These include “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Avengers: Doomsday,” and the fourth installment of “Spider-Man” featuring Tom Holland.
