NBA superstar LeBron James recently expressed his admiration for the 2001 film ‘Training Day,’ starring Denzel Washington. He shared an Instagram story that featured a snippet of the film’s director, Antonie Fuqua, discussing Washington’s iconic ‘King Kong’ monologue.
‘Training Day’ was a box office success, earning over $104.9 million during its theatrical run. Denzel Washington’s performance received widespread acclaim and garnered him multiple Best Actor awards, including one at the Golden Globes. At the time of the film’s release, LeBron James was just beginning his basketball career in high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, and would later enter the NBA draft within two years.
Fuqua shared that Washington’s memorable monologue was improvised during filming and was not part of the original script. “It just came out of him,” recalled Fuqua. “We were there that night. He got so into the zone.” Fuqua explained that Washington’s delivery was so powerful that the shot ended up being slightly out of focus.
As LeBron James continues to make strides in his basketball journey, it’s clear that the tenacity and raw talent displayed by actors such as Denzel Washington in ‘Training Day’ have left a lasting impression on him. The film’s continued impact on fans and pop culture, nearly two decades after its release, is a testament to the artistry and skill of both its cast and crew.
