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

Posted on by Pranco
Denzel Washington’s gay kiss scene in ‘Gladiator II’ footage

“Gladiator II” had almost everything: epic battle scenes, a heavy dose of nostalgia, emotional monologues and even an unexpected gay kiss – until filmmakers took the last one out.

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 guy in the movie, but they grabbed him and cut him off. I think they have chicken,” Washington, who plays a supposedly bisexual Roman businessman, told the outlet.

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

Denzel Washington revealed that his gay kiss scene was “cut” from “Gladiator II.” Gayety/YouTube
In the sequel, Washington plays a powerful businessman who is probably bisexual. AP

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

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

As it turns out, this wasn’t the only kiss from the final product.

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

“I actually kissed the guy in the movie, but they grabbed him and cut him off. I think they have 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 where we were rehearsing my fight scene with Pedro, and towards the end of the scene I had the idea to kiss Pedro on the forehead,” Mescal, 28, recalled earlier this month.

Knowing that director Ridley Scott might not agree with the idea, the ‘Normal People’ star decided to give it a try without asking him beforehand.

“I did it in one of the takes, and then we send the radio messages back to Ridley (in video village), and I was like, ‘Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yes or no?” Mescal recalled.

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

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

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

“Gladiator II” is a sequel to the original 2000 blockbuster, starring Russell Crowe and nominated for twelve Academy Awards.

Washington has already gotten a lot of Oscar buzz for best supporting actor; however, he revealed on the Australian show “Today”. that he didn’t feel any ‘pressure’ with such a big project.

It’s unclear if director Ridley Scott was the one who made the final decision about either kiss. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
“Gladiator II” comes out 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’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’ll make – probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done yet.”

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