Denzel Washington Said No thanks to Doing an Accent in Gladiator 2 But Did His Best British Accent in a Doomed 1988 Crime Thriller
- Denzel Washington used his natural American accent in 'Gladiator 2', avoiding a African or historical accent for his character.
- Washington reflected on his past attempt at a Cockney accent in 'For Queen and Country'.
- While some criticized the lack of historical authenticity, others praised Washington's performance as Macrinus.
In the world of filmmaking, historical dramas always walk a fine line between historical accuracy and entertainment. Gladiator 2 is not different in this regard, as the movie brings a story about power, revenge, and personal redemption.
One of the central cast members in this Roman epic drama is Denzel Washington. Despite being regarded as one of the best ever, the way Washington plays Macrinus has already set up some buzz and debate, especially due to his accent. However, it is not the first time that the actor has faced the challenge of accents.
Denzel Washington’s British Accent Challenge
Gladiator 2 starts 16 years after the events of the first movie. As Macrinus, a man who was once a slave, Denzel Washington is an ambitious dealer who has also set his eye on the throne. He was a prisoner of war who later became a successful businessman.
The involvement of Washington added instant credibility to the movie. However, his accent did raise some eyebrows as the actor decided to use his normal American accent while portraying a non-American character.
Notably, this is not the first time Washington has had a turn at accents. He featured in For Queen and Country, a crime drama in 1988, and managed to somehow pull off a Cockney accent, although many felt it was not up to the mark, including himself. The movie was also a box-office failure at the time.
In the movie, Washington played a former paratrooper who struggled to lead a normal life. According to The New York Times, Washington lived with a British family in East End London to get familiar with the dialect and accent. In an earlier interview (via ReelinInTheYears66), he explained how he prepared for the part.
One of the writers was on the set all the time, and he kind of acted as a monitor. He would wear headphones on every take, and, you know, between takes he’d say, ‘Well you need to drop the certain sounds.’
This is entirely different from Gladiator 2, where he decided to act using his real-life American accent. In an interview with On Demand Entertainment, Washington admitted his British accent was “awful” and “that’s the reason” he didn’t use an accent on Gladiator 2.
Denzel Washington’s Accent Controversy in Gladiator 2
The issue of Washington’s accent in Gladiator 2 has several layers. His character Macrinus was historically from North Africa, Mauretania, which today is Algeria. Some wanted him to have an African accent considering the geographic background of the character.
Washington was one of the focal points of the marketing campaign, but people were taken aback by his decision to use his standard American accent. Washington responded to the criticism directly. In an interview with Empire magazine (via Screen Rant), he said,
Well, the thing was, where are we? Whose accent would it be? What does that sound like anyway? You’re going to end up imitating someone and end up with a bad African accent.
Some agreed with Washington for not risking an inauthentic or potentially offensive accent, believing that his performance would overshadow linguistic details. The real Macrinus was a lawyer and a Praetorian Guard prefect. So, the movie was anyway not willing to be historically authentic.
Washington’s performance has been commended for its complexity. Criticisms aside, almost everyone agrees on his ability to bring both depth and charm while giving the character new energy. The character embodies the desire for power and the instinct to survive, that transcends any accent or nationality.
Gladiator 2 is running in theaters.
For Queen & Country is available to stream on Prime Video.
