Denzel Washington has hinted he could retire from acting after a four-decade career in Hollywood.
The 69-year-old has appeared in films including Training Day, Malcolm X, and Glory and won Oscars for the latter two.
He will also star in Ridley Scott’s upcoming sequel Gladiator II alongside the likes of Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal.
However, Denzel revealed the hotly anticipated blockbuster could be one of his last film credits.
‘There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker,’ the American Gangster actor told Deadline.
He said he was sufficiently inspired by Ridley and his vision for Gladiator II to agree to the role.
Denzel explained: ‘We had a great go-round the first go-round and here we are. He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration.
‘We should all want to feel like that at 86.’
Denzel also teased Gladiator II was ‘one of the best things I’ve ever made’ describing it as ‘full-bore, brutal action.’
In Gladiator II, Denzel plays Macrinus, an Ancient Roman arms dealer.
Not much is known about the plot but it will centre on Paul’s character Lucius who is captured and forced back to his hometown Rome, where he is confronted with the reality of life aafter Commodus’ fall.
It’s not the first time Denzel has implied he was planning to step back from acting.
In June at the American Black Film Festival in Florida, he told a panel: ‘The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera.
‘I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.’
The Equalizer actor also previously told ET he is keen to pursue other jobs in the film industry, specifically directing.
‘I’m in the yellow leaf of my career. To be quite honest, looking to do other things. So as far as acting, it’s gonna have to be an extreme challenge for me to be interested.
‘I’ve been talking to one or two of the top directors in the business, and we’re talking about maybe doing something. There’s not that much left for me to do as an actor. Maybe Lear,’ he said.
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