Despite being a prolific actor and expert in his craft, two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington said he’s over cinema.
In a recent interview with GQ paired with Highest 2 Lowest filmmaker Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky (née Rakim Mayers), Washington joked he’s “tired” of movies — likely because he has made dozens. The topic came up as A$AP Rocky was discussing his favorite double dolly shots emblematic of Lee’s directorial technique.
While he listed Malcolm X and Crooklyn, when asking Washington of his favorites, the latter responded: “I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t,” prompting laughter from Lee and Mayers.
The Gladiator II star continued, “I’m just being honest with you! I don’t watch movies, man! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies,” having added earlier that he doesn’t rewatch his own features as he doesn’t feel the need to revisit the past.
“Is it because you make ’em?” A$AP Rocky asked.
“Probably. You know, I’m tired of movies.”
When Lee questioned how many credits Washington had racked up, the Othello actor responded: “Too many. I think 50!” (Indeed, the actor’s IMDb boasts multiple entries over that figure.)
Washington’s signature blunt declaration comes after his recent comments about being “not that interested” in winning more Academy Awards after his triumphs for 2002’s Training Day and 1990’s Glory.
“I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won,” he said earlier this month. “Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. People say, ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’”
Highest 2 Lowest debuted in select theaters Aug. 15 and will soon be available to stream on Apple TV+ beginning Sept. 5.
Watch the full GQ interview below: