Denzel Washington commands ancient Rome and movie theaters with ‘Gladiator II’

The biggest surprise of “Gladiator II” is not that Denzel Washington is great. Instead, it’s how pivotal his character Macrinus is to the long-awaited sequel starring Paul Mescal as the heir of Russell Crowe’s iconic character Maximus.

The sequel revolves around Mescal’s character stepping into his destiny as Lucius, the son of a great warrior and grandson of an emperor. But it’s Washington’s Macrinus who moves “Gladiator II” forward.

Far more than a mere villain, Macrinus is a saboteur and opportunist in this Roman Empire epic, where those taken as slaves are forced to fight in an arena before an audience with a grim outcome: kill or be killed.

“His grand purpose,” Washington told NBC News, “is to take over the world.”

To select his gladiators, Macrinus leans into their rage. Not only does Macrinus look for that rage in the potential gladiators he purchases, but the former gladiator also stokes it.

“It’s a way to touch and connect with the young gladiators so that he can get him to do what he wants him to do,” Washington explained. “I think it’s purely manipulative.”

Crowe’s “Gladiator,” which was released in 2000 — the same year as Washington’s box office hit “Remember the Titans” — was not without ambitious men. They, however, did not look like Washington’s Macrinus. A former slave himself, Macrinus has won his freedom as a gladiator and transformed himself into a worldly statesman and power broker whom Washington infuses with both charm and cunning in “Gladiator II.”

The famous actor’s involvement in the second film began as a friendly conversation with his “American Gangster” director Ridley Scott, who is also known for “Alien,” “Blade Runner” and “Thelma & Louise.”

Scott “said it took him 20-some-odd years to get the script to where he was comfortable with it,” Washington said. Ultimately, it was his relationship with Scott and his respect for him as a director that swayed him to take the role.

“We had great success together with ‘American Gangster,’” Washington said. “He’s, in my opinion, one of the top directors of all time. He asked me to do the film, and I said ‘yes.’”

Macrinus’ vast wealth manifests through opulent robes, expensive rings, stacks of bracelets and eye-catching earrings. He also has a stylish salt-and-pepper goatee and a well-coiffed Caesar haircut. But Macrinus’ style is an element of the character in which Washington insists he played no role.

“I don’t know anything about clothes,” he said with a chuckle, crediting costume designer Janty Yates. “I was given a lot of tools in the toolbox with the rings and the chains and the earrings, all that stuff they brought to me. And I wanted more and more and more and more.”

Outside of the wardrobe, there were few action elements in “Gladiator II” that he had not previously encountered in his many roles that include “Othello” and the “Equalizer” franchise.

“Almost everything that is done in the film, I’ve done before: fight scenes, swords, riding horses,” he said, not one exception. “Battling in the water — that was new, but I’ve done a lot of different fights and all things like that.”

Roles like Macrinus, he said, have been the norm for him throughout his career. “The first leading role I ever read for, I got,” he said. “I’ve been playing leads right from the beginning. I’ve been blessed beyond measure. I haven’t been cheated; I’ve been overlooked. But, so what?”

“Gladiator II” officially hits the big screen Friday as “The Piano Lesson” begins streaming on Netflix. The latter film is the latest in Washington’s commitment as a producer to adapt August Wilson’s group of 10 plays known as the “Pittsburgh Cycle” or “Century Cycle.” It’s directed by son Malcolm, produced by daughter Katia, and stars son John David.