Ridley Scott Denies Denzel Washington’s Same-Sex Kiss in Gladiator 2 Was Cut

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Denzel Washington says Gladiator 2 cuts him out and kisses a guy drunk on the lips

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II. Cuba Scott/Paramount Pictures

Gladiator II director Ridley Scott shuts down claims that a same-sex kiss was cut from the new film.

Denzel Washingtonwho plays power-hungry ex-slave Macrinus in the film, recently said he kissed a man on the lips, but the moment didn’t make the final cut.

“No, that’s b——t. It was a senator. They never did. They acted in the moment and (it) didn’t happen,” Scott, 86, told Black on the red carpet at Gladiator II Los Angeles premiere Monday, November 18.

In an interview with Gayty released on Oct. 31, Washington, 69, said, “I actually kissed a man in the movie, but they took it out, they cut it. I think they got chicken.”

The Oscar winner continued: “I kissed a guy drunk on the lips and I think they weren’t ready for it yet. I killed him about five minutes later. It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death.”

But speaks to Black on Monday night, Washington said the kiss was just a “peck” on the lips.

“There really is much ado about nothing,” the actor said. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck, and I killed him.”

Gladiator II' Director Denies Same-Sex Denzel Washington Kiss Was Cut

Michael Pruss, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, Paul Mescal, Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington attend the premiere of ‘Gladiator II’ in Los Angeles. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

speaks to Black at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 17, producer Michael Pruss said of the scene: “There were so many things that were shot that didn’t make it into the movie. It really was a non-event.”

Meanwhile, actress Connie Nielsenwho represents her Gladiator role of Lucilla, told the outlet that some of her scenes were also cut from the sequel.

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

Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal28, as Lucius, the former heir of Rome who is forced to become a gladiator. Pedro Pascal, 49, plays a general named Marcus Acacius. While their characters are rivals on screen, the actors teased that they also shared a tender moment in the film that was cut.

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Paul Mescal Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

“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 shared Weekly entertainment in October. “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 on Friday, November 22.