Denzel Washington is in his villain era once again in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. Blavity/Shadow and Act Managing Editor Trey Mangum spoke with Washington about his character Macrinus and how he became one of Rome’s political powerhouses.

Washington deliciously steals every scene in this rousing heir to the Oscar-winning classic, with director Ridley Scott doing some of the best work of his storied career.