MOVIE NEWS – The Academy Awards have long been a polarizing topic among film enthusiasts and Hollywood insiders. Recently, actors like Brian Cox criticized the Oscars, calling them “complete nonsense” and a “fallacy” for focusing only on films released between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sean Penn labeled the Academy as “cowardly” for avoiding politically charged films such as The Apprentice, while Samuel L. Jackson dismissed the notion that being nominated is an honor, insisting that the real honor lies in winning. Now, Denzel Washington has joined the conversation with his own perspective on the prestigious awards.

The acclaimed actor, currently generating Oscar buzz for his role in Gladiator II, recently told ScreenDaily that winning an Academy Award early in his career brought challenges he hadn’t anticipated. Washington won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1990 for his portrayal of Private Trip in the Civil War drama Glory, but instead of opening doors, the win limited his opportunities.

Washington Prioritizes Working with Exceptional Talent

Washington earned his second Oscar for Training Day in 2002, and since then, he has become more selective about the roles he takes. He shared that he prefers collaborating with directors who align with his artistic goals and revealed ongoing talks with Ryan Coogler and Steve McQueen.

“I only want to work with the best, and there are limited opportunities to do so. I’ve spoken with [Coogler and McQueen] because I’m eager to learn from them as filmmakers. Ridley [Scott, director of Gladiator II] is my inspiration. He thrives on the excitement of working—it’s not stress for him, but a rush. I aim to bring that same energy to my craft and give 1,000% of myself to whatever I undertake.”

Washington also produces Netflix adaptations of August Wilson’s Century Cycle. In 2024, the platform released The Piano Lesson, a poignant family drama penned by Wilson in 1987. Directed by Washington’s son, Malcolm, the project carried personal significance for the actor. Next, Washington is set to appear in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low.

Source: MovieWeb