After Creating A Frenzy Online, Denzel Washington Is Clarifying What He Actually Meant When He Said He Was Retiring

Denzel Washington might not be retiring after all.

Denzel smiling, wearing a collared shirt, standing outside near a building with a staircase in the background
Ivan Romano / Getty Images

The iconic actor sent Hollywood into a frenzy yesterday when he revealed in an interview with Australia's Today show that he would not only be starring in a string of big-name projects in the upcoming years, including Ryan Coogler's Black Panther 3, but that he was also retiring.

  Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images

"For me it's about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career," Denzel said while promoting his upcoming movie Gladiator II. "I'm only interested in working with the best. I don't know how many more films I'm going to make — probably not that many."

Denzel Washington in casual black t-shirt and jeans on red carpet at Gladiator II event
Pierre Suu / Getty Images

"I want to do things I haven't done. I played Othello at 22. I'm about to play Othello at 70. After that, I'm playing Hannibal. After that, I've been talking with Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, I'm going to do the film Othello. After that, I'm going to do King Lear. After that, I'm going to retire."

  Mireya Acierto / Getty Images
Mireya Acierto / Getty Images

Well, it looks like he didn't mean retire in the literal sense. During a recent interview with Seasoned BuzzFeed's Ada Enechi, Denzel explained what his real plans are for the future and the shift he plans on making in his career.

Denzel Washington in a dark suit is sitting, holding a microphone, and smiling during a speaking engagement or event
Toru Hanai / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

"I didn't say I was going to go into retirement," Denzel said. "I said that it has to be a level of interest for me. I'm more interested in getting behind the camera, so that's about five years out."

Person sitting and gesturing during an interview for "Gladiator II" promotion, wearing a casual dark outfit
Ada Enechi / Seasoned BuzzFeed

"It's very difficult. And I may have used the word retire, but I look at life in three sections: you learn, you earn, you return. I'm in the return part of life."

Denzel gesturing while sitting in a chair with "Gladiator II" text in the background
Ada Enechi / Seasoned BuzzFeed

Denzel mentioned that he got some clarity after going on a three-week press tour with his sons and daughter for the upcoming Washington-family-backed film adaptation of The Piano Lesson. He also had this revelation while promoting Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, stating proudly that the new generation is "taking over."

The Washington dressed in formal and semi-formal attire pose together on the Toronto International Film Festival red carpet

"I'm not retiring," the multi-Oscar winner added. "It's not like on June 5, that's it. But to think that I'm going to run as far as they are or as far as you are, I'd be a fool."

  Ada Enechi / Seasoned BuzzFeed
Ada Enechi / Seasoned BuzzFeed

"I think that's the ego that thinks, 'Oh yeah, I can do it.' No you can't. Your stunt man is doing it now. I'm less interested in running and jumping. Let Paul [Mescal] and John David [Washington] jump now."

Denzel Washington enthusiastically speaking in an interview setting, with "Gladiator II" text in the background
Ada Enechi / Seasoned BuzzFeed

Whew, I just let out the biggest sigh of relief. I knew he wouldn't be retiring from Hollywood entirely, but I'm glad to hear the clarification come straight from his mouth.

  Warner Bros. Pictures / giphy.com

To listen to his full explanation, check out Seasoned BuzzFeed's clip below:

Seasoned BF / ://Twitter: @seasonedbf