Gay Kiss in ‘Gladiator II’ Cut, Denzel Washington Reveals

Denzel Washington

History has always hinted that ancient Roman civilization was kinda gay. With ‘Gladiator II’, the sequel to the 2000 film ‘Gladiator’, hitting theaters this November, shouldn’t all that muscle-packed, violent action have at least a little bit of that historical queerness, even just a sprinkle?

Well, Denzel Washington, who plays Macrinus, a ruthless Roman businessman who amassed wealth and power, said he kissed a man on the lips in the film — but it got cut.

“I kissed the man in the film, but they took it [out],” Washington revealed to Gayety. “I guess they’re not ready for that,” he added.

Funnily, he said he killed the character he kissed “about 5 minutes later,” describing the kiss a “kiss of death.”

This is not the first kiss in the same film 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.

It’s quite a disappointment that the Roman Empire’s tolerance of gayness (as how we would perceive it in modern times) is still not properly explored in the second installation of the ‘Gladiator’ series. But there’s still hope as it appears that ‘Gladiator III’ is already in the works!

‘Gladiator II’ started showing on November 15 in the UK. It opens on November 22 in the US.

 

Sources: (1) (2) (3)

RELATED ARTICLE:

Trending

For Only Fans
LOOK: ‘His Man 3’ Participant Kim Han Min Joins Oh Dong Won in Bold BL Short Film Only for Fans, Premiering December 15
Flying Penguin, known for hits like ‘Taming the Bad Guy’ and ‘Twins’,...
Eternal Butler
WATCH: Butler Disciplines Unruly Young Master in ‘Eternal Butler’ Official Trailer
“Don’t worry, you will always be my young master.” … Gay...
Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru: More Please!
Highly Anticipated Gourmet BL Movie Sequel ‘Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru: More Please!’ Premieres on GagaOOLala This December 4
Following its local screening last June, the highly anticipated sequel ‘Let’s...
I'm a Fool for You
WATCH: 'I’m a Fool for You' Returns with Season 4 Starting on December 12
The beloved Cantonese BL series ‘I’m a Fool for You’ is back with its fourth season,...
December 2024
Upcoming Shows: December 2024
Ho Ho Ho… Merry Christmas! Curious about what’s coming this December? BLTai is here...

Schedule

For Only Fans
LOOK: ‘His Man 3’ Participant Kim Han Min Joins Oh Dong Won in Bold BL Short Film Only for Fans, Premiering December 15
Flying Penguin, known for hits like ‘Taming the Bad Guy’ and ‘Twins’,...
Eternal Butler
WATCH: Butler Disciplines Unruly Young Master in ‘Eternal Butler’ Official Trailer
“Don’t worry, you will always be my young master.” … Gay...
Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru: More Please!
Highly Anticipated Gourmet BL Movie Sequel ‘Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru: More Please!’ Premieres on GagaOOLala This December 4
Following its local screening last June, the highly anticipated sequel ‘Let’s...
I'm a Fool for You
WATCH: 'I’m a Fool for You' Returns with Season 4 Starting on December 12
The beloved Cantonese BL series ‘I’m a Fool for You’ is back with its fourth season,...
December 2024
Upcoming Shows: December 2024
Ho Ho Ho… Merry Christmas! Curious about what’s coming this December? BLTai is here...