Denzel Washington’s Blunt Advice to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Taking on an iconic role is a big deal, especially when it was previously played by a legend like Denzel Washington. That was the challenge facing Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as he prepared to star in the Netflix adaptation of ‘Man on Fire.’ While he aimed to make the character his own, he did receive some wisdom from Washington himself – though perhaps not in the way you might expect.

Abdul-Mateen II, known for his versatile performances in everything from ‘Aquaman’ to ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7,’ emphasized the need to approach the role of John Creasy uniquely, rather than trying to replicate Washington’s acclaimed 2004 portrayal. He shared his experience on the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast with hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.

The ‘Do What You Do’ Philosophy

When the Netflix team wanted to connect Abdul-Mateen II with Denzel Washington, Yahya was initially hesitant. Having met Washington a couple of times and finding him to be a ‘cool cat,’ he anticipated the advice he’d receive. “I knew what he was going to say,” Abdul-Mateen II recalled.

And he was right. Washington’s response, delivered with a deadpan tone, was simple yet profound: “What you asking me about? I ain’t got nothing to say. Do what you do. Do what you know to do.”

Validation Through Simplicity

For Abdul-Mateen II, this blunt advice wasn’t dismissive; it was an affirmation. “That’s what he was supposed to say,” he added. It validated his own approach to the role – trusting his instincts and his craft without being overly influenced by the original performance. It was Washington’s way of passing the torch, encouraging him to bring his own interpretation to the character.

Abdul-Mateen II has been on an impressive trajectory, earning an Emmy for ‘Watchmen,’ a Tony nomination for ‘Topdog/Underdog,’ and starring roles in ‘Wonder Man’ and now ‘Man on Fire.’ His perspective on Hollywood is evolving as his star rises.

The Rise of IP and the Need for Originality

He observes that Hollywood is heavily focused on Intellectual Property (IP), often re-hashing existing stories. “They basically just flipping product… what worked back then? Let’s see how we could go acquire those rights and just sell you back the same thing you know again,” he explained. While acknowledging that this can sometimes work, he stressed the need for more original storytelling.

Abdul-Mateen II believes that original stories are ultimately what resonate most with audiences and actors alike. “We want something new, something fresh, some new material, a different take on something,” he stated, expressing a desire for the industry to embrace fresh narratives that truly connect.