Denzel Washington’s Biggest Flop Became His Most Meaningful Role – Here’s Why

In the realm of acting, an actor’s dream is often to create a performance that resonates both personally and with audiences. But for Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, his favorite role remains one of his most commercially unsuccessful—Roman J. Israel, Esq.. Despite the film’s disappointing box office performance, Washington regards this character as his most meaningful role to date, a profound personal connection that few could have anticipated.

Washington, known for his powerful portrayals of strong, confident characters, stepped into unfamiliar territory with the role of Roman J. Israel, a neurodiverse attorney. Written by Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy, the role was designed with Washington in mind, even though Gilroy had never met the actor. When the two met to discuss the project, Washington’s immediate interest in the character was palpable. “I was drawn to him because he wasn’t the typical ‘alpha male’ role I usually play,” Washington shared. His character, Roman, is an attorney with a brilliant mind but limited social skills, working for years as a research expert until he’s thrust into the spotlight at a major law firm.

It was a role that challenged Washington to step far outside of his comfort zone. He was drawn to the character’s unique perspective on the world, having the ability to memorize entire books yet struggling to read people—a characteristic Washington found both fascinating and deeply relatable. “We all know people like Roman,” he explained. “I have a good friend whose son is on the spectrum and works in a law firm in a similar capacity. It was really fascinating to play someone who can recall any text but struggles with social interactions.”

The film itself was a passion project for Washington, and he took great care in embodying the role of Roman—sporting unflattering glasses and outdated suits to physically transform himself into the character. But while his performance received praise, the film didn’t resonate with audiences as he had hoped. Roman J. Israel, Esq. grossed a mere $13 million worldwide on a $22 million budget, a disappointing figure, especially considering it was released between two successful action films, The Magnificent Seven and The Equalizer 2, which both grossed over $150 million each. Even his critically acclaimed film Fences, which Washington directed and starred in, outperformed Roman J. Israel, Esq. by nearly three times.

Despite its box office failure, Washington was proud of his work in the film. Critics acknowledged the strength of his performance, with many even nominating him for the ‘Best Actor’ Oscar. However, the film itself was criticized for not fully living up to his performance. Washington, however, wasn’t focused on the commercial or critical reception—he was satisfied simply with the opportunity to play a character that deeply resonated with him.

Reflecting on the experience, Washington shared a poignant observation about the character of Roman. “We overlook people like Roman,” he noted. “It’s easy for them to fall through the cracks of society. And maybe for that reason, I can tell you I love this guy more than any other character I’ve played in my life.”

Though Roman J. Israel, Esq. may not have been the commercial success that Washington had hoped for, it remains his favorite role—a film that allowed him to explore a new, deeply personal dimension of his craft.