Denzel Washington Admits He Kissed a Man in Cut Scene from Gladiator II

Denzel Washington’s Scene with a Same-Sex Kiss Cut from Gladiator II

In a surprising revelation, Denzel Washington has candidly shared that his same-sex kiss in Gladiator II was omitted from the film’s final version. In an interview with Gayety, the iconic actor discussed his role as Macrinus, a wealthy Roman who is a key figure in the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2000 classic Gladiator.

Washington, 69, elaborated on the character’s background, stating that Macrinus has had relationships with men in the past. When asked about the portrayal of same-sex relationships in ancient Rome, he disclosed, “I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it out. I think they got chicken.” He humorously added, “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!”

Ridley Scott, the legendary director behind both Gladiator and its sequel, played a significant role in Washington’s decision to join the project. He has expressed admiration for Scott’s work, emphasizing the importance of collaborating with top-tier filmmakers at this stage in his career.

However, Denzel isn’t the only actor whose same-sex moment was cut from the film. Paul Mescal, who co-stars with Pedro Pascal, shared about an improvised scene where he kissed Pascal on the forehead during a fight. Although Ridley initially responded favorably to the moment, it ultimately didn’t make the cut. When asked why, Ridley admitted he couldn’t recall the specifics but hinted that it may appear in a director’s cut.

Fans of the Gladiator franchise can look forward to the film’s release in the United States on November 22, with a UK debut on November 15. As anticipation grows, discussions surrounding its content are already heating up, especially in light of these unexpected revelations.