Denzel Washington says he had a same-sex kiss in ‘Gladiator II’ that was cut

CNN
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Denzel Washington rules the screen, but there’s one thing audiences won’t get to see him do in his latest film.

In an interview to promote “Gladiator II” with Gaytythe Oscar-winning actor talked about playing the Roman emperor Macrinus. Washington was asked “how gay” he thought the Roman Empire was, and he referenced a particular scene.

“I actually kissed a man in the movie, but they took it out. They cut it,” he said. “I think they got chicken.”

“I kissed a guy drunk on the lips,” Washington added. “I think they weren’t ready for it yet.”

The actor then joked that his character killed the character soon after, making it a “kiss of death”.

Director Ridley Scott is back for the sequel to the original 2000 film. Washington’s co-star, Paul Mescal, also shared a story about a kiss involving their other casemate, Pedro Pascal.

“There was a moment when we were rehearsing my fight scene with Pedro and I had an idea towards the end of the scene to kiss Pedro on the forehead.” Mescal told Entertainment Weekly. “I did it in one of the takes and then we get the radio messages back to Ridley (in video village) and I was like, ‘Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yay or nay?’ There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back and (Ridley) says, ‘I’m afraid I did.'”

“Gladiator II” is in theaters November 22.