Denzel Washington's 'Gladiator II' character Macrinus is a ruthless Roman emperor with striking parallels to former US president Donald Trump, according to director Ridley Scott.
beat sheet
Macrinus was a real-life historical figure who rose from prisoner of war to become a powerful 'billionaire' merchant and eventually the Roman emperor, much like Trump's rise from businessman to president.
Scott describes Macrinus as a 'clever gangster' who 'creates chaos' and is 'very close to Trump', highlighting the character's cunning, ruthlessness, and megalomania.
call sheet
Denzel Washington, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe, Paul Mescal, Caracalla, Fred Hechinger, Nick Cave, Donald Trump, Paramount Pictures, Vanity Fair, People, Gladiator II