United Kingdom, March 30 -- Denzel Washington was moved to tears while watching 'Black Panther' in the cinema.

The 70-year-old actor is known for playing strong, stoic characters, but revealed in reality he has a softer side - admitting he was overcome with emotion while watching the superhero film during its 2018 premiere.

He was quoted by People saying: "I cried a little bit when I saw 'Black Panther'. I was on Broadway (performing in 'The Iceman Cometh'), in fact, and I went to the premiere, and I wasn't interested in the red carpet and all that.

"So I went backstage and I saw (actor) Chad (Boseman) and (director) Ryan (Coogler.)

"I spoke to them and then I sat down and watched the movie. And I felt like the baton had been passed. ...