‘Black Panther 3’ will be one of Denzel Washington’s final films before retirement
"I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many"
by Elizabeth Aubrey · NMEDenzel Washington has revealed that he will appear in Black Panther 3 and that it will be one of his final films before retirement.
Speaking to Australia’s Today programme while on the press tour for Gladiator 2, Washington said that director Ryan Coogler is writing him a role in Marvel’s third Black Panther outing. Alongside this, Washington said it will be one of his final roles alongside a new Steve McQueen project and a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello – a role Washington will first be performing on Broadway next year.
Speaking on the programme, Washington said: “For me it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
“I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” he continued, in reference to playing in the Broadway production of Shakespeare’s play next February alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
“After that,” he continued, “I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I’m going to do the film Othello, After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”
While there are currently no details about the Steve McQueen project as yet, Netflix recently announced details of Antoine Fuqua’s war movie that will see Washington play ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal.
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Back in August, Washington also hinted at retirement then.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley [Scott],” Washington told Empire. “We had a great go-round the first go-round [on 2007’s American Gangster], and here we are.
“He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” Washington continued. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”
Gladiator 2 arrives in cinemas this Friday November 15.