Washington deliciously steals every scene in this rousing heir to the Oscar-winning classic, with director Ridley Scott doing some of the best work of his storied career.

There has been a path paved for him to the world of the sword-and-sandal epic with Gladiator II. Of course, considering Gladiator was a blockbuster that remained in cinemas for over a year before earning the honor of Best Picture,

Ridley Scott obviously wanted to do Gladiator II; the reason why is less clear, but Denzel Washington's hammy performance almost justifies it.

Rome teeters on the brink in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Its fall is said to be imminent. The dream it once symbolized is dead. The once high-minded ideals of the Roman Empire have deteriorated across a venal land now ruled by a pale-faced emperor.

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From psychological thrillers like Se7en to action-packed Furious 7, these films proved that even without Washington’s magic touch, they had what it took to make a mark. Let’s have a look at five blockbuster hits that Washington “almost” took the lead.