Gladiator 2 star Denzel Washington ‘almost got into a fight’ with Marvel actor on set of 2007 film

On By Littum

Josh Brolin has revealed he “almost got into a fight” with Denzel Washington on set American gangster.

Before Washington starred Gladiator 2he appeared in director Ridley Scott’s 2007 crime drama, playing the criminal Frank Lucas. His co-star in the film was Brolin, who at the time was a rising Hollywood star who would go on to play Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

According to the actor, hostilities began when Washington “caught wind” of producer Brian Grazer praising his performance alongside Russell Crowes – and came to a head when Washington “changed the structure” of their first scene together.

Talking further In depth with Graham BensingerBrolin, who said he “gets along very well” with the Oscar-winning actor now, said: “Denzel was kind of late on stage and there was a whole thing there. And then he showed me the lines… he didn’t change any of my lines, but he kind of changed the structure of it. He said, ‘I think I’ll put this down and I’ll put that up there.’ But he wouldn’t really look at me.

Brolin said they immediately rehearsed the scene in its new form, but admitted he struggled to be “super confident” because of Washington’s star power.

“I tried to remember the structure and then we rehearsed. It wasn’t that many lines, mostly mine. And I have to be super confident. It’s Denzel Washington, man. It’s like, not easy – you’re just an actor who they’re trying to see if he’s the real deal or not. And I forgot a line.”

This is when Brolin put his hand on Washington’s shoulder and asked him “What’s the limit?”

Brolin continued, “He slapped my hand off and he said, ‘Don’t ever put your damn hand on me.’ And I was like, ‘Holy shit, I’m breaking up with Denzel Washington, this is crazy.’

“We are not actors anymore – at least in my mind. In his mind he was just doing his job. He was that guy. He was Frank Lucas, period. But I didn’t know that. And then we got through that moment. I said, ‘Are you okay?’ He said, ‘Yes. You?’ I said, ‘Yes. Can I have my line?’ He said, ‘Go for it.’ It’s like he said what he needed to say.”

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Denzel Washington and Josh Brolin in 'American Gangster'
Denzel Washington and Josh Brolin in ‘American Gangster’ (Universal images)

Brolin has published a new memoir titled From under the truckwhich sees him reflect on his childhood, struggles with addiction and his roles in films including No country for old men.

Meanwhile, Washington is getting rave reviews for his role in Gladiator 2which has thrown him straight into the Oscars 2025 race. The movie is in theaters now.