The movie that stopped Denzel Washington from quitting acting: “I was really bored”
You’d be hard-pressed to find many Hollywood actors quite as beloved as Denzel Washington, the two-time Oscar winner who climbed to fame back in the late 1970s. An iconic performer and filmmaker, Washington has had the chance to work with other acclaimed stars such as Val Kilmer, Russell Crowe, Frances McDormand, Brendan Gleeson, and Ethan Hakwe, among many others.
First nominated by the Academy back in 1988 for his supporting role in Cry Freedom, it would take just two more years for Washington to earn gold at the Oscars, claiming his first win for playing Private Silas Trip in Glory. Narrowly missing out on further awards glory for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X in 1993, the actor next picked up an Oscar in 2002 for his performance in Training Day.
Yet, the actor’s acclaimed career almost didn’t happen at all, having been tempted to turn in his pursuit of Hollywood success in the 1990s. “A couple of years ago, I was really bored, and I was getting some great roles but just thought I can’t do this anymore,” Washington told Movie Hole in 2003, but his attitude changed after he switched his focus from being in front of the camera to being behind it.
In 2002, he helmed the movie Antwone Fisher, a biopic regarding a young navy soldier who is forced to see a psychiatrist after having a violent altercation with a colleague, with the experience digging up a painful past that must be addressed. Starring Washington, as well as Derek Luke and Joy Bryant, the film was celebrated across the world, even claiming success at the Critics Choice Awards.
“Directing really helped to kick start me as an actor again because I was really tired of it,” the actor added, “directing and finding out how hard a job that was, gave me new life because I really want to do that again”.
Indeed, Washington’s career path isn’t all that dissimilar from Clint Eastwood’s, with the western star actually being a hero of the two-time Oscar-winning actor. “Clint Eastwood is my hero,” he once stated, “This guy just seamlessly segued from one career to another. The appeal of directing for him is as much about helping others find their footing as it is about taking control on set”.
Take a look at the trailer for Washington’s directorial debut, Antwone Fisher, below.
