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\"I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,\" the actor told the outlet. \"I'll never forget how he expressed how proud he was of me. That was a great moment for me.\"

Following 2018's \"BlacKkKlansman,\" John David starred in 2020's \"Tenet,\" which earned over $363 million worldwide, even during the pandemic.

Washington recalled entering a \"dramatic\" place for his next role in the upcoming film, \"Malcolm & Marie,\" alongside Zendaya.

Shot under strict COVID-19 safety protocols last June, the film follows Washington and Zendaya as a not-so-perfect couple who return home after a movie premiere.

\"I went from the biggest-budget film in my career [Tenet] to the lowest-budget film within a six-month time frame,\" he said. \"I was like, this is survival, but hey, if this is the last thing I get to do, I truly believe in it.\"

\"Malcolm & Marie\" premieres on Netflix Feb. 5.

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