Denzel Washington’s gay kissing scene cut from ‘Gladiator II’

Denzel Washington’s controversial gay kissing scene from the highly anticipated sequel, Gladiator II, has been axed from the final cut. In a recent chat with Gayety, Washington disclosed that he shot a kissing scene with a male co-star, but it ultimately didn’t make it into the film set to premiere on November 22. “I actually kissed the man in the film, but they took it, they cut it. I think they got chicken,” the 69-year-old actor remarked while playing a wealthy Roman businessman with bisexual undertones. Washington added with a chuckle, “I kissed a guy full on the lips, and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.”

Despite the moment of intimacy, it wasn’t exactly a traditional romantic gesture for Washington’s character. “I killed him about five minutes later,” he joked, referencing the film’s intense narrative. “It’s ‘Gladiator.’ It’s the kiss of death.”

But Washington wasn’t the only one whose scene got the chop. Paul Mescal, who portrays the film’s lead character, Lucius, revealed that he too attempted to add a personal touch to his scenes. While rehearsing a fight sequence with Pedro Pascal, who plays General Acacius, Mescal decided to kiss Pascal on the forehead spontaneously. Not sure how director Ridley Scott would react, he didn’t consult beforehand. “I did it in one of the takes, and then we’re getting 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 recounted, explaining that Scott’s radio reply indicated he approved. However, that moment was also left out of the finished film.

Gladiator II follows up on the original 2000 classic that garnered 12 Academy Award nominations. While Washington is already generating Oscar buzz for his role, he shared on Australia’s Today show that he doesn’t feel any undue pressure to live up to the past. “For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career,” he explained, adding that he’s selective about his projects as he approaches retirement. With six upcoming projects in mind, Washington is enjoying the journey even as he considers stepping back from the spotlight.

As Gladiator II approaches its release date, the decision behind which scenes made it to the big screen remains unclear, leaving fans curious about what could have been.