Although Gladiator II had plenty of star power, it was Denzel Washington’s costumes that really stole the show. The two-time Oscar winner spoke about the get-ups in a recent interview with Letterboxd’s George Fenwick, admitting he had heard the buzz surrounding his lavish threads.
“I’ve been hearing something about that,” Washington said. “I mean, it’s different walking in sandals and robes and all. But the ladies seem to like the rings a lot. A lot of women have been coming in, talking about the rings. But you just build it piece by piece, layer by layer.”
Washington starred as Gladiator II’s Macrinus, a power-hungry arms dealer with an affinity for head-turning ’fits. The character was equal parts ambitious, ruthless, and camp — all of which were reflected in his clothing and accessories.
“What [director Ridley Scott] did, which was great, is he built Rome,” Washington said during a film screening last month. “So all we had to do was put the clothes on and start talking. No, I’m serious. He built Rome. When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make believe, it was play, it was fun. Just put the gear on, just put the dress on and go, that’s the way I looked at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings, and I’m going crazy.”
Macrinus' costumes primarily consisted of jewel-toned caftans, elaborate sashes, and tons of jewelry, including his signature mini-hoop earrings. Gladiator II costume designers Janty Yates and David Crossman spoke about the outfits in a recent interview with Vogue, revealing that the Macrinus jewelry was a “last-minute” decision.
“You are always putting it on, hoping, keeping your fingers crossed,” Yates said. “I was just so happy that he agreed to wear earrings, that he wore two of them, and that he wore them pretty well throughout. They gave him a little bit more power, I think.”