Denzel Washington is talking about a new movie

Denzel Washington plays one of William Shakespeare’s most famous characters in “The Macbeth Tragedy,” a new adaptation of the 400-year-old work that the Oscar-winning actor says he has never seen directed.

The Hollywood star plays the eponymous role in Joel Cohen’s black-and-white film version of the tragedy of a Scottish general who, motivated by his wife, commits murder to gain access to the throne.

Also Oscar-winning Francis McDormand plays Lady Macbeth in the scene-like film.

“It’s what fate would have it, I’ve never seen it. I did not avoid it. I just did not see it,” Washington told Reuters in an interview.

“I was lucky that Joel and Fran and I were together almost a year after filming and we started reading scenes together. We have to get into the material and ask questions and bounce on each other and act a little and see how we all work together. “

From Peter O’Toole and Ian McKellen to James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, a long list of actors have played the lead role in “Macbeth,” which is believed to have first been played in the early 16th century.

“This is stress, eh? Can you imagine it – someone walks up (and says)” Look, it’ve been a wonderful project for 400 years. Do not confuse it. “Good luck,” said Washington, who previously starred in a production of Shakespeare’s “Othello.”

“I did not feel this pressure. It would be a good play, whether I confused it or not. It will continue to be and is open to interpretation. This is the great thing about Shakespeare … it has been done in any way you can. So this was the Joel’s idea “.

Known as “The Scottish Play”, “Macbeth” is surrounded by superstitions, something in which Washington said it “did not pay much attention”.

“The list is very long … Every day there is something else you should not do or something like that.”

“The Tragedy of Macbeth”, which has won rave reviews from critics, airs on Friday on Apple TV + … Reuters