Denzel Washington’s gay kiss scene in ‘Gladiator II’ cut

On By Littum

“Gladiator II” almost had it all: epic fight scenes, heavy doses of nostalgia, emotional monologues and even an unexpected gay kiss — until the filmmakers cut the last bit.

Denzel Washington revealed in an interview with Gayety that his kissing scene with another male actor was not included in the final edit of the film, which hits theaters on November 22.

“I actually kissed the man in the film, but they took it, they cut it. I think they got chicken, Washington, who plays a supposedly bisexual Roman businessman, told the newspaper.

“I kissed a guy drunk on the lips, and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet,” he surmised.

Denzel Washington revealed that his gay kiss scene was “cut” from “Gladiator II.” Gayty/YouTube
Washington plays a powerful businessman who is believed to be bisexual in the sequel. AP

However, the Oscar winner, 69, noted that it was not necessarily a romantic moment for the power-hungry arms dealer.

“I killed him about five minutes later,” he said with a laugh. “It’s ‘Gladiator’. It’s the kiss of death.”

It turns out that wasn’t the only kiss that was cut from the final product.

Paul Mescal, who plays the main character Lucius, told Entertainment Weekly he took some creative liberties while filming a fight scene alongside Pedro Pascal, who plays the Roman general Acacius.

“I actually kissed the man in the film, but they took it, they cut it. I think they got chicken,” Washington told Gayety. AP
The 69-year-old joked that he “killed” the man after the brief moment of intimacy. FilmMagic

“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, 28, recalled earlier this month.

Since director Ridley Scott might not be on board with the idea, the “Normal People” star decided to give it a shot without asking him beforehand.

“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?'” Mescal recalled.

“There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back and (Ridley) says, ‘I’m afraid I did.”

“It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death,” he said. Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Paul Mescal’s pancake kiss was also cut from the film, the “Normal People” star recently revealed. ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

Although Ridley didn’t mind the subtle intimacy, the shoot ultimately ended up on the cutting room floor.

“Gladiator II” is a sequel to the original blockbuster from 2000, which starred Russell Crowe and was nominated for 12 Oscars.

Washington has already garnered Oscar buzz for Best Supporting Actor; however, he revealed on Australia’s “Today” show that he felt no “pressure” to take on such a large project.

It’s unclear if director Ridley Scott was the one who made the final call on either kiss. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
“Gladiator II” will be released on November 22. Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

“For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career,” he said.

“I am only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many films I will make – probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”

Washington said he already has his next six projects in mind, and “after that he wants to retire.”