Denzel Washington’s ‘Gladiator 2’ Gay Kiss ‘Didn’t Happen,’ Ridley Scott Says

Denzel Washington may have said his same-sex kiss in “Gladiator II” was cut from the movie because the powers that be got “chicken,” but according to director Ridley Scott, the kiss may not have happened at all.

“No, it’s bullshit,” Scott told me Monday night at the “Gladiator II” premiere in Hollywood. He later added: “They never did. They acted in the moment – it didn’t happen.”

Washington, meanwhile, claimed it was just a “peck” on the lips. “It really is much ado about nothing,” Washington said at the premiere. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck, and I killed him.”

During a recent interview with GayteyWashington revealed that “I actually kissed a man in the movie, but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken. I kissed a guy full on the lips, and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet. I killed him about five minutes later. It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death.”

The “Gladiator II” script mentions that Washington’s character, Macrinus, has been in relationships with other men in the past.

At the Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Connie Nielsen — who reprises her role as Lucilla in the “Gladiator” sequel — shared her thoughts on Washington’s edited same-sex kiss scene.

“My grief scene didn’t make it into the film either,” Nielsen said. “It’s not homophobia. There was just no room for it.”

Producer Michael Pruss added, “There was so much stuff that was shot that didn’t make it into the movie. It really was a non-event.”

Paul Mescal, who stars as Lucius (son of Russell Crowe’s character in the original 2000 film), told Attitude magazine recently that the film will appeal to a diverse audience. “I think this movie is for the guys, the gays, the girls, the moms, the dads,” he said, adding, “The brothers will love it too, don’t get me wrong.”

Nielsen also spoke about Mescal at the Governors Awards. “He’s such a wonderful actor,” she said. “It’s amazing how much he’s done in such a short amount of time. He’s really, really gifted, not just as an artist, but I think just as a human being. The fact that he’s able to withstand this type of pressure, so young, it’s commendable and amazing, and he’s a lovely person.”

“Gladiator II” is in theaters Friday.