Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will star in a new production of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Othello. The play, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025.
Denzel Washington, known for his captivating performances in Training Day and Malcolm X, is no stranger to the stage. The two-time Academy Award winner has also garnered a Tony Award for his role in the 2010 revival of Fences. His more recent work in The Tragedy of Macbeth earned Washington another Academy Award nomination. In this new production, the film and theater veteran will take on the titular role of the Moorish general who falls victim to jealousy and manipulation.
Joining Washington is Jake Gyllenhaal, a versatile actor who has garnered acclaim for his work in both film and theater. Gyllenhaal’s notable film credits include ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Nightcrawler,’ and ‘Donnie Darko.’ In 2019, he received a Tony nomination for his performance in ‘Sea Wall/A Life.’ In ‘Othello,’ Gyllenhaal will portray the villainous Iago, a role that promises to showcase his remarkable talent for portraying complex characters.
The casting of Washington and Gyllenhaal in these iconic roles has generated much buzz among theater enthusiasts and casual fans alike. The collaboration of Washington’s commanding presence and Gyllenhaal’s nuanced character work promises to bring new depth to this classic tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal.
The production will be directed by Kenny Leon, a Tony Award-winning director known for his work on ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘American Son.’ This will mark another reunion for Washington and Leon, who previously collaborated on ‘Fences’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
