Denzel Washington could receive an Academy Award nomination for a 2024 film he did not even appear in. After receiving a 2025 Golden Globe nomination in the “Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role” category, it is possible that Washington could also get nominated for an Oscar for his work on Gladiator II. Washington joined the Gladiator II cast as Macrinus, an arms dealer and gladiator owner who has ambitions to rule Rome.
Macrinus’ backstory in Gladiator II is very interesting, since he was owned by former Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius for many years before finally gaining his freedom. Washington’s impressive performance in Gladiator II makes Macrinus one of the most interesting characters in the movie. Following the release of Gladiator II, it has been suggested that Washington deserves an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. However, Washington could also receive another nomination at the 2025 Oscars for a film that he produced.
The Piano Lesson Could Get Denzel Washington An Oscar Nomination In Best Picture
Denzel Washington Could Also Be Nominated As A Producer
The Piano Lesson first premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2024 before landing on Netflix in November. The Piano Lesson currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes (via Rotten Tomatoes), and was actually directed by Washington’s son, Malcolm Washington. Additionally, the adaptation of the August Wilson stageplay stars Washington’s other son, John David Washington. Denzel Washington produced the movie, making The Piano Lesson an endeavor that included several members of the family.
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Denzel Washington has already garnered 2025 Oscar buzz for his role in Gladiator II but has also produced another Oscar contender with his two sons.
The story of The Piano Lesson follows Boy Willie, who travels from Mississippi to Pittsburgh to visit his sister, Berniece. Throughout the film, Boy Willie and Berniece argue about whether they should sell their family’s piano. The emotional family story has been received well by critics, suggesting it could get nominated for Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards. Since Denzel Washington is credited as a producer, this is another award that he could be nominated for at next year’s Oscars.
The Piano Lesson’s Best Picture Nomination Would Continue An Oscars Trend For Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington Has Found Success With His August Wilson Adaptations
In 2015, Denzel Washington made a deal with August Wilson’s estate to adapt all 10 of Wilson’s series of plays called The Pittsburgh Cycle. The first of these adaptations came in 2016 when Washington starred in the critically-acclaimed film Fences. Fences is based on the 1987 August Wilson play, and follows Troy Maxson, who bickers with his wife and son as he builds a fence around their Pittsburgh home.
|
August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle Plays |
Set In (Decade) |
|---|---|
|
Gem of the Ocean |
1900s |
|
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone |
1910s |
|
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom |
1920s |
|
The Piano Lesson |
1930s |
|
Seven Guitars |
1940s |
|
Fences |
1950s |
|
Two Trains Running |
1960s |
|
Jitney |
1970s |
|
King Hedley II |
1980s |
|
Radio Golf |
1990s |
Fences was nominated for several awards at the 2017 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Washington. Washington’s second Wilson adaptation, 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, was also nominated for several Academy Awards. While it was not nominated for Best Picture, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was nominated for awards such as Best Actor and Best Actress. Therefore, The Piano Lesson being nominated for Oscars in 2025 would continue the trend Denzel Washington has going with his August Wilson adaptations.
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Gladiator II
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
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The Piano Lesson
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
