Denzel Washington reacts to Oscar snub for his efficiency in Gladiator II: ‘I have been round too lengthy’
Veteran Hollywood actor Denzel Washington has skilled sufficient Academy Award rivalry over time for the 2025 nominations to depart him unfazed. Denzel has now addressed the Academy’s resolution to miss his efficiency in Gladiator II within the Greatest Supporting Actor class throughout a current interview with The New York Occasions.
“Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I am so upset,” he stated earlier than revealing he had his palms full whereas getting ready for the titular function of Othello based mostly on William Shakespeare’s iconic play, on Broadway.
“I used to be sitting there smiling [on nomination morning], going: ‘Have a look at you. On the day you did not get a nomination for an Oscar, you are engaged on Othello on Broadway,'” Washington recalled.
Elaborating additional, the 70-year-old actor shared his perspective on the scenario. “I am comfortable for all that did, and I am pleased with what I am doing. Pay attention, I have been round too lengthy. I’ve obtained — I do not wanna say different fish to fry, however there is a actuality at this age. Going again to what I used to be saying: The start of knowledge is knowing. I am getting wiser, engaged on speaking much less and studying to know extra — and that is thrilling,” he stated.
Washington’s portrayal in Ridley Scott’s much-anticipated sequel was met with widespread acclaim and had secured nominations within the Greatest Supporting Actor class at each the Golden Globes and the Critics Selection Awards. Nevertheless, the Academy didn’t prolong the identical recognition, opting as an alternative to appoint Yura Borisov (Anora), Kieran Culkin (A Actual Ache), Edward Norton (A Full Unknown), Man Pearce (The Brutalist), and Jeremy Sturdy (The Apprentice). The one Oscar nomination Gladiator II obtained was for Greatest Costume Design.
Regardless of this obvious snub, Washington isn’t any stranger to Academy Awards recognition. Over the course of his illustrious profession, he has obtained a number of nominations and wins. He first claimed an Oscar for Greatest Supporting Actor in 1988 for Glory and later received Greatest Actor in 2002 for Coaching Day. Along with these victories, he has been nominated for Greatest Actor on six different events for Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Flight, Fences, The Tragedy of Macbeth, and Roman J. Israel, Esq. He additionally obtained a Greatest Supporting Actor nod for Cry Freedom and a Greatest Image nomination for Fences, which he additionally directed.
