This week the long-awaited sequel to Gladiator, Gladiator II arrives in theaters.

Director Ridley Scott is at the helm as Gladiator II continues the epic Roman saga of power and vengeance. The story follows Lucius (Paul Mescal) who is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical twin Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

GlobalGrind Sr. Content Director Janeé Bolden spoke with Denzel Washington about his role as Macrinus, Master of gladiators who has climbed from former slave to become one of the most powerful men in Rome.

Washington’s Macrinus is brimming with personality; a cunning manipulator, he is often playful, while sometimes dark and cold. Already wealthy, Macrinus is strategically moving toward grasping more power and it’s an understatement to say that Washington’s performance is masterful.

While Macrinus is vastly different from many of Washington’s previous roles, you can see the joy he takes in inhabiting such a colorful character. We asked Denzel which tools he was most excited to put to use for this particular role.

“All of my tools. 48 years of experience — you know, from The Emperor Jones until now,” Washington said referring to early forays into college theater.”

Source: Aidan Monaghan / Paramount Pictures

Of course Washington isn’t just legendary for his acting — he’s also gone viral in past years for his often humorous offscreen moments. Like his exchange with Jamie Foxx about leaving the Oscars without an award — but partaking in some catering because he was leaving with something!

We asked Washington what he left the Gladiator II sets in Morocco and Malta with.

“An experience of warmth, of beautiful people,” Washington said about his time in Malta. “A lovely fellow and and his wife were helping take care of me and she was making me good food, and great fish dishes, and just lovely, lovely, lovely people. Beautiful, beautiful islands.”

Source: Cuba Scott / Paramount Pictures

Audiences have been waiting for Gladiator II for some time now, but the project’s rollout, which included particularly epic images of Washington has had fans excited for the latest “Denzel movie.” Washington spoke to GlobalGrind about Macrinus’ growth from being formerly enslaved to becoming one of the most powerful men in Rome.

“The power behind the throne is kept by any means necessary,” Washington told GlobalGrind about portraying the Roman strategist. “It was true then and it’s true now.”

It’s a big month for Washington, who also produced The Piano Lesson — which arrives on Netflix the same day as Gladiator II opens in theaters. We asked him about his dedication to maintaining August Wilson’s legacy.

“The greatest gift I was given by Constanza and the August Wilson Foundation or estate was the stewardship, if you will, of these plays and for me it’s the highlight of my career,” Washington said. “It’s the most important thing in my career right now and I hope August is pleased. He is my Edward Albee and he is my Tennessee Williams or any of the other great writers. I think he’s one of the greatest writers in the history of American theater and it’s an honor just to to be asked to be a part of his legacy.”