Over his illustrious four-decade career, Denzel Washington has captivated audiences with his portrayals of strong and stoic characters. Renowned for his quiet intensity and unshakeable dignity, both on screen and stage, Washington is not often seen expressing overt emotions. However, even he is not immune to the power of cinematic artistry. In the Apple TV+ documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet,” Washington, now 70, shared an anecdote that revealed an occasion when he was profoundly moved in a dark theater.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t a typical tear-jerker that elicited this emotion. Discussing the 2018 blockbuster “Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan under the direction of Ryan Coogler, Washington admitted, “I cried a little bit when I saw Black Panther.” At the time, he was performing in “The Iceman Cometh” on Broadway and attended the movie’s premiere. Uninterested in the glitz of the red carpet, he opted for a more low-key experience.
“So I went backstage and I saw Chad and Ryan, spoke to them, and then sat down to watch the movie,” he recounted. The experience resonated deeply with Washington, as he felt, “the baton had been passed.” Witnessing the film, he sensed pride and a form of relief seeing the accomplishment and future potential of these talented young actors. “You know, I didn’t know then they were gonna make a billion dollars, but they did,” he said, acknowledging the subsequent success of the film as a special moment.
Washington, a celebrated actor with two Oscar wins from nine nominations, is known for roles in films like “Malcolm X” and “The Hurricane.” His endorsement of “Black Panther” signifies his belief that the future of cinema is promising. In a conversation with Australia’s “Today” show in November, Washington revealed that Coogler is writing a part for him in the third “Black Panther” installment.
“Number One on the Call Sheet,” which premiered on March 28, is a two-part documentary. Directed by Reginald Hudlin, episode one focuses on “Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” featuring interviews with industry giants such as Washington, Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Will Smith, and Jamie Foxx. The second episode, directed by Shola Lynch, highlights “Black Leading Women in Hollywood,” showcasing talents like Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Cynthia Erivo, and Taraji P. Henson, among others.
The documentary also pays tribute to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020 due to complications from colon cancer. “Black Panther” cast members like Jordan, Bassett, and Daniel Kaluuya make appearances, enriching the narrative with their reflections.
Laurence Fishburne, known for his roles in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “The Matrix,” eloquently captured the cultural significance of “Black Panther” in the documentary. “Black Panther for me was, like, the movie that Black people had been waiting for 100 years,” said Fishburne, highlighting the historic representation provided by the movie. Notably, he observed, “We got two princes in that movie, with Chad and Michael B. And we never had that before, in cinema.” For Fishburne, “Black Panther” condensed a century of dreams and representation needs into its fantastical portrayal of Wakanda.
“Number One on the Call Sheet” continues to stream on Apple TV+, offering audiences insight into the experiences and reflections of influential Black actors in Hollywood. As the documentary showcases, Denzel Washington’s reaction to “Black Panther” transcends personal emotion, symbolizing the baton being passed to a new generation of cinematic talents who carry forward a legacy of excellence and representation.
