Denzel Washington responds to the possibility of a spinoff centered on his character, Macrinus, from Ridley Scott’sGladiator II. Scott returns to directGladiator II, a sequel to his 2000 Best Picture winnerGladiator. The new movie focuses on Lucius (Paul Mescal), theson of Maximus and Lucilla, now an adult and former Roman heir driven into the gladiator arena after General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) leads an invasion of his home under the rule of co-emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn). Washington’s Macrinus, a former slave with ambitious goals to control Rome, trains Lucius to fight.
In a recent interview withET,Washington addressed the potential for a Macrinus spinoff movie. He didn’t confirm any plans, instead leaving it up to Scott himself. Washington responded with intrigue:
I didn’t think about it at all. That’s a Ridley question, I mean, I don’t know.
What Denzel Washington’s Comment About a Macrinus Spinoff Means
The Embroiled Arms Dealer Could Broaden the Gladiator Universe
A complex character, Macrinus maintains a stable of gladiators and works as an arms dealer, supplying food and oil to Roman armies in Europe while strategizing ways to usurp the twin emperors from the shadows. In an interview withScreen Rant,Washington emphasizedthat his character is “in bed with the devil.” As a former slave who climbs his way to power,Macrinus is a character with a rich backstorythat can offer a nuanced perspective on ancient Rome’s political and social world.
He’s someone who knows well the violence of a tyrannical government, but has been blinded by his own lust for conquest. Macrinus hints at a story filled with intrigue, alliances, and conflicts that could developtheGladiatorworldin unexplored ways. Scott has already revealed plans for aGladiator 3, showingthe director is not quite done with this universe. With Scott at the helm and Washington bringing depth to the role, a Macrinus spinoff could follow the political maneuvering and personal sacrifices that have shaped him, especially ifGladiator IIproves successful.
Washington’s Character Deserves His Own Story
A Macrinus spinoff movie has the potentialto explore themes of determined resilience and the lust for powerthrough the lens of one of the franchise’s most layered characters. A standalone film could trace his journey from enslavement to power, offering a gripping story of survival and strategy as he navigates—and ultimately becomes embroiled in—Rome’s treacherous political landscape. Depending on howGladiator II’s storyshakes out, there could be more ahead for Macrinus, whether in his own movie or in a third installment in the main franchise.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
