The Denzel Washington Film That Was ‘Buried’ by Poor Marketing—Here’s Why He’s Still Furious

For all his success and acclaim, Denzel Washington knows the sting of seeing a deeply personal project mishandled by the industry machine. Despite a career filled with landmark performances in Training Day, Glory, and Malcolm X, the Oscar-winning actor revealed that one film in particular—1999’s The Hurricane—remains a source of lasting frustration.

Directed by Norman Jewison, The Hurricane tells the powerful true story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned for murder and the fight to prove his innocence. Washington’s portrayal of Carter was physically grueling and emotionally searing, a performance many critics hailed as among his finest. Yet, despite its quality, the film struggled to find an audience—and Washington believes he knows why.

“The studio didn’t release it properly, and it got buried,” Washington said candidly. “They were trying too hard to position it for the Oscars, and they wound up hurting the movie.”

Rather than letting the film find its audience organically, the studio pushed The Hurricane aggressively during awards season, a strategy that, in Washington’s eyes, ultimately backfired. Instead of wide recognition, the film slipped through the cracks, another victim of Hollywood’s often misguided pursuit of prestige.

For Washington, the disappointment runs deep. He considers his work in The Hurricane—alongside his towering performance in Malcolm X—to be among the projects he’s most proud of. Yet he’s quick to note that director Norman Jewison may have felt the greatest betrayal: “He was very proud of his work, as he should be, and he felt totally betrayed by the marketing people.”

It’s a bitter truth that countless filmmakers and actors have faced: the realization that even the most passionate, painstaking artistic efforts can be undone by poor studio decisions. Washington’s experience mirrors that of other respected artists like Gene Hackman and Xavier Dolan, who have also spoken about the heartbreak of seeing deeply personal projects sidelined.

Still, Washington remains hopeful. “I think it’s one of those films whose reputation will gain over time,” he said.

In an era where overlooked gems are increasingly rediscovered and celebrated by new audiences, there’s every chance that The Hurricane—and Washington’s extraordinary performance—will finally earn the lasting recognition it deserves.