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Age and race no factor for Denzel Washington's Macbeth
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In this file photo taken on December 16, 2021 US actor Denzel Washington attends the Los Angeles Premiere of 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, California. (AFP/Lisa O'Connor)
In the four centuries since Shakespeare wrote the Scottish Play, there has never been a Macbeth quite like Denzel Washington.
A double-Oscar winner, he is regularly named the greatest actor of his era, and has already received every nomination going for new film The Tragedy of Macbeth, out Friday on Apple TV+.
He is also 67 -- and his Lady Macbeth played by 64-year-old Frances McDormand -- meaning their ruthless couple would be most unlikely to create an heir to their ill-gotten crown.
"They're tired, they're older," Washington told AFP, explaining that the passage of time gave their characters a different but equally malevolent motivation.
"They're like, 'Look, this is our shot. We're due. Give it to us.'
"Drastic times make for drastic measures. And the clock is ticking."
How would Washington, who clashes swords with foes in multiple strenuous encounters towards the film's finale, have played the role differently 20 or 30 years ago?
