Ridley Scott on Denzel Washington’s ‘Gladiator II’ Gay Kiss: “It Didn’t Happen”

Denzel Washington

‘Gladiator II’ director Ridley Scott has refuted Denzel Washington’s claim that a “gay kiss” was cut from the gritty, action-packed, and allegedly queer-coded film.

Washington, who portrays Macrinus, one of the film’s most ruthless characters, told Gaytey he “kissed a man in the film,” but said the scene ended up on the cutting room floor. He described the moment as “the kiss of death,” noting his character killed the man shortly after.

However, during the ‘Gladiator II’ premiere in Hollywood on November 18, Scott denied the claim, telling Variety, “No, that’s bullsh*t. They never did. They acted the moment — it didn’t happen.”

Washington stood by his statement, clarifying it was a “peck” on the lips following a kiss on the hands. “I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck, and I killed him,” he said.

According to the script, Macrinus is depicted as having had relationships with men in the past.

Actress Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla, also weighed in, revealing her own scene was cut. “My grieving scene didn’t make it into the film either,” she said. “It’s not homophobia. It’s just there was no room for it.” Producer Michael Pruss echoed this sentiment, adding, “There was so much material shot that didn’t make it into the film. It was truly a non-event.”

Washington’s “peck” was not the only gay scene that did not make the cut. Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal — lead stars of the film — shared an improvised kiss, albeit just on the forehead. “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,” he said. Unfortunately, it did not make it into the final cut.

‘Gladiator II’ premiered in the UK on November 15 and will open in the US on November 22.

 

Sources: (1) (2) (3)

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