Denzel Washington rules ancient Rome and theaters with ‘Gladiator II’

The biggest surprise about “Gladiator II” isn’t that Denzel Washington is great. Instead, it’s how crucial his character Macrinus is to the long-awaited sequel starring Paul Mescal as the heir to Russell Crowe’s iconic character Maximus.

The sequel revolves around Mescal’s character stepping into his destiny as Lucius, son of a great warrior and grandson of an emperor. But it’s Washington’s Macrinus who moves “Gladiator II” forward.

Far more than just a villain, Macrinus is a saboteur and opportunist in this Roman Empire epic, where those taken as slaves are forced to fight in an arena before an audience with a grim result: kill or be killed.

“His great purpose,” Washington told NBC News, “is to take over the world.”

To choose his gladiators, Macrinus leans into their fury. Not only does Macrinus look for that rage in the potential gladiators he buys, but the former gladiator incites it as well.

“It’s a way to touch and connect with the young gladiators so he can get him to do what he wants him to do,” Washington explained. “I think it’s purely manipulative.”

Crowe’s “Gladiator,” which was released in 2000 — the same year as Washington’s blockbuster “Remember the Titans” — was not without ambitious men. However, they did not resemble Washington’s Macrinus. A former slave himself, Macrinus has won his freedom as a gladiator and transformed himself into a worldly statesman and powerbroker, whom Washington infuses with both charm and cunning in “Gladiator II.”

The famous actor’s involvement in the second film began as a friendly conversation with his “American Gangster” director Ridley Scott, who is also known for “Alien”, “Blade Runner” and “Thelma & Louise”.

Scott “said it took him 20-some-odd years to get the script to where he was comfortable with it,” Washington said. Ultimately, it was his relationship with Scott and his respect for him as a director that made him take the role.

“We had a lot of success with ‘American Gangster,'” Washington said. “He is, in my opinion, one of the greatest directors of all time. He asked me to make the film and I said ‘yes’.”

Macrinus’ immense wealth is manifested through lavish robes, expensive rings, stacks of bracelets and eye-catching earrings. He also sports a stylish salt-and-pepper goatee and a well-coiffed Caesar cut. But Macrinus’s style is an element of character in which Washington insists he played no part.

“I don’t know anything about clothes,” he said with a laugh, crediting costume designer Janty Yates. “I got a lot of tools in the toolbox with the rings and chains and earrings, everything that came to me. And I wanted more and more and more and more.”

Outside of the wardrobe, there were few action elements in “Gladiator II” that he hadn’t previously encountered in his many roles that include “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and the “Equalizer” franchise.

“Almost everything that’s done in the film, I’ve done before: fight scenes, swords, riding horses,” he said, noting one exception. “Battle in the water – that was new, but I’ve done a lot of different battles and all that sort of thing.”

Roles like Macrinus, he said, have been the norm for him throughout his career. “The first lead role I ever read for, I got,” he said. “I have played leading roles from the very beginning. I have been blessed beyond measure. I have not been cheated; I have been overlooked. But so what?”

“Gladiator II” officially hits the big screen Friday when “The Piano Lesson” begins streaming on Netflix. The latter film is the latest in Washington’s commitment as a producer to adapt August Wilson’s group of 10 plays known as the “Pittsburgh Cycle” or “Century Cycle.” It is directed by son Malcolm, produced by daughter Katia, and stars son John David.