Denzel Washington's villainous yet charismatic character Macrinus is based on a real historical figure, although there are several key differences.

Renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott recently shed light on Denzel Washington’s character, Macrinus, in Gladiator 2, by methodically comparing him to Donald Trump. Macrinus, who draws inspiration from a real historical personality,

"Gladiator II," which also stars Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, has grossed over $300 million worldwide so far.

Denzel Washington's character Macrinus in Gladiator II is "very close to Trump", according to director Ridley Scott.

This week Gladiator II arrives in theaters and we spoke with one of the film’s most iconic actors, Denzel Washington about his role in the project as well as his work bringing August Wilson’s plays to screen.

Can an actor earn an Oscar nomination just by the way he says the word “politics?” I think so. Especially when that actor is Denzel Washington in “Gladiator II.” This is a sequel to “Gladiator,” which earned the Best Picture,