Denzel Washington is one of the most prolific actors who changed the way African American characters were portrayed in mainstream cinema. The actor has starred in landmark films such as Training Day, Glory, Philadelphia, Malcolm X, and Cry Freedom. He has also been nominated for the Oscars multiple times and has won the award twice.
Washington was reportedly always interested in playing Black Panther in a film adaptation. While the actor became too old to play the iconic superhero by the time the character made his cinematic debut with Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal, Washington reportedly had his eyes on another superhero. Denzel Washington once mentioned how he wanted to play Green Lantern.
Denzel Washington Wanted to Play Black Panther and Green Lantern
A Black Panther film was in the making since the ‘90s, with Blade star Wesley Snipes interested in developing a film based on the iconic superhero. While the project went through many stages of development, it was never made, as two superheroes in the Marvel universe would have been ‘overkill’, according to Blade 3 director David S Goyer (via Moviehole).
While Chadwick Boseman finally became the first actor to portray the superhero in a film, legendary actor Denzel Washington was also reportedly interested in playing the role. In an interview with Cineblend, he mentioned that he wanted to play a superhero, but he was getting too old. He said,
“I’m probably getting too old. They didn’t make the Black Panther yet, though, did they? I heard that they have been talking about it. That’s cool.”
Denzel Washington also mentioned in a Reddit AMA that he had his eyes on another superhero, but that too was already done. Washington mentioned that he had been eyeing the role of Green Lantern and Black Panther when asked if he was interested in a superhero film. He said,
“Didn’t they do the Green Lantern? With Ryan Reynolds! Too late! Green Lantern Returns? Isn’t there a comic book, the Black Panther, or something?”
While many fans were not too keen on Denzel Washington being associated with the disastrous Green Lantern during the AMA, they instead recommended he play John Stewart’s Green Lantern in a potential film, or play T’Challa’s father T’Chaka. The AMA was conducted before the announcement of Chadwick Boseman’s casting.
Denzel Washington Has Unusual Connections with Black Panther
While Denzel Washington could not play Black Panther, he has been associated with the film and its cast in more ways than one. For starters, Washington was the top choice of director Antoine Fuqua when he was asked if he wanted to adapt the Black Panther comics into a film. The Training Day director mentioned to The Urban Daily,
“With the right script, absolutely! As for casting, I’d always go straight for Denzel if you’re talking about a certain type of character. Jamie Foxx, Wesley Snipes, Will Smith — we’ve got a handful of guys who are very powerful actors. We also have lots of talented African-American actors we’ve never even heard of.”
Denzel Washington was reportedly a benefactor for Black Panther star, the late Chadwick Boseman, while he was studying drama in Oxford. The actor credited his success to Washington, revealing that he sponsored Boseman’s summer program at Balliol College, Oxford. Chadwick Boseman revealed this in an interview with Rolling Stone,
“Denzel paid for me. I’m sure he has no idea. … I’ve been waiting to meet him, so I can tell him.”
Denzel Washington reportedly also inspired actor Michael B. Jordan to play the role of Killmonger in Black Panther. Jordan mentioned that he was inspired by Wahsington’s process in his film Glory and that he employed similar techniques while preparing for his role (via AFI).
Black Panther is available for streaming on Disney+.
