Denzel Washington does not feel upset about Gladiator 2 Oscar nomination snub

Regardless of getting snubbed out on the nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Gladiator 2 at the 2025 Academy Awards, Denzel Washington remains cool and calm by the decision of the Academy.

The much-admired actor, who took up the character of the power broker Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s highly awaited sequel, Gladiator 2, recently opened up about his absence from the Academy nomination list in an interview with The New York Times.

Keep reading further to know what he said:

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Washington addresses his Gladiator 2 snub at the 2025 Oscars:

Addressing the snub in an interview with The New York Times, he promptly responded that he has no bitterness humorously saying;

“Are you kidding me? Awww. Oh, I’m so upset. I’m happy for all that did, and I’m happy with what I’m doing.”

Even though the film was predicted to likely be amongst one of the main event contenders, it however ended up getting only one nomination at the 2025 Academy Award for Best Costume Design, with the Academy appreciating the work of the costume creators David Crossman and Janty Yates.

Denzel Washington’s snub from the Best Supporting Actor nominee list startled many fans, given that his enactment achieved nominations at many award shows like the Critics’ Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, Satellite Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.

Denzel Washington’s Focus Beyond the Oscars:

Rather than brooding and being upset regarding the Gladiator 2 Oscar snub, Denzel Washington is driven to be focused on his next challenge and that is performing an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello on Broadway.

Washington voiced his contentment concerning where his career is currently heading. He revealed that his preferences lie and extend beyond getting awards.

He said,

“The beginning of wisdom is understanding…. I was sitting there smiling going: Look at you. On the day you didn’t get a nomination for an Oscar, you’re working on ‘Othello’ on Broadway.”

Having earned two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1990 and Best Leading Actor for Training Day in 2002, Washington is not an outsider to gaining some Oscar recognition.

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Even though Gladiator 2 failed to make a noteworthy impression in the 2025 Academy Awards, Denzel Washington continues to stay focused on his art.

With his upcoming Broadway rendition of Shakespeare's Othello where he plays Othello himself, along with other films in the future, Washington corroborates that true creative fulfillment goes far beyond award show acknowledgments.