Denzel Washington Shocks Fans: I Don’t Watch Movies Anymore

Hollywood icon Denzel Washington said he no longer goes to the movies--not even to see his own films. During press for his newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, the two-time Academy Award winner casually said this and raised a lot of eyebrows from fans concerning where he fit in with movies after more than 50 years in the industry.

Denzel Washington Reveals a Shocking Truth About Movies

Washington's surprise announcement was made during a press tour with director Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky, during which he stated:

"I'm tired of movies. I don't watch them anymore, not even my own."

As someone who has put his life and legacy into cinema, this was a bit surprising. Fans who watched him in Training Day, Glory, Fences, and Malcolm X, were shocked to learn that the actor himself has grown estranged from the very medium that helped make him famous.

Why He Stopped Watching Movies

Although Washington did not go deep into detail, he indicated an intentional shift. He expressly stated that at this moment in his career, he is done pursuing awards or recognition from the outside:

He focuses on doing work that he feels personal satisfaction:

"Man gives the award, God gives the reward."

This perspective indicates a transition in the actor's career. After winning Oscars, Golden Globes, and many other accolades, Washington does not seem to enjoy watching films anymore. To him, films are a job — and I suppose after 50 years of working in front of the camera, he simply prefers to not be close to the work when he is not working.

His New Film Highest 2 Lowest

Regardless of no longer watching films, Washington continues to work and act in powerful roles. His new film Highest 2 Lowest, set to be released soon, is directed by one of his closest collaborators, Spike Lee, making this their fifth collaboration.  

• This film is a contemporary adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's classic 1963 film, ‘High and Low’.  
• Washington portrays a powerful New York music executive whose life unravels after a kidnapping scheme involving his family.  
• The film is set to explore the interplay of power and morality, and social inequality, alongside a sharp contemporary twist to Kurosawa’s work.  

Early reviews indicate that the film goes beyond the suspense framework, incorporating rich social commentary, which is a hallmark of Spike Lee’s films.

Denzel Washington’s Career That Changed Hollywood

Washington, who is now 70, has acted in over 50 films and enjoys a richly deserved reputation in Hollywood for more than being a box office draw. He has a tangible and lasting cultural impact. Hollywood cemented his stature as a cultural icon in films such as Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Remember the Titans, and more recently, The Equalizer, which endeared him to global audience as a beloved crowd favorite. 

Washington has made it clear in his recent statement that while his storytelling ties remain intact, his days as a movie enthusiast are long gone. 

What’s Next for Washington

While he may not have plans to indulge in cinematic experiences, he remains active as a performer. There are reports that he is more than willing to accept offers from prestigious directors such as Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther). If those collaborations happen, audiences can expect Washington to continue to take on artistically demanding and socially beneficial roles. 

He is now publicly a man who’s put a lot of thought into his legacy, which explains the deliberate and selective approach. He hopes to not work as a perennial artist and instead give people work that decades later, people will appreciate.

Inside Denzel Washington’s Honest Confession About Movies

The admission from Washington reveals something profoundly human; feeling exhausted is something that even the biggest stars endure. Decades of being inside the cinema world has made Washington weary of consuming it in his personal life.  

Idolized entertainers and athletes often conceal the fact that they are similarly subject to fatigue and changing interests. These truths can serve to soften their worshippers. However, his devotion to the profession reveals that he has not totally fallen out of love with the art. While he may not be an active film consumer, he still has faith in the art of filmmaking.

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