Ridley Scott Says Denzel Washington’s ‘Gladiator II’ Same-Sex Kiss ‘Didn’t Happen’: ‘They Acted the Moment’

Denzel Washington may have said that his same-sex kiss in “Gladiator II” was cut from the movie because the powers that be got “chicken,” but, according to director Ridley Scott, the kiss may not have happened at all.

“No, that’s bullshit,” Scott told me Monday night at the “Gladiator II” premiere in Hollywood. He later added, “They never did. They acted the moment — it didn’t happen.”

Washington, meanwhile, claimed that it was simply a “peck” on the lips. “It really is much ado about nothing,” Washington said at the premiere. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”

During a recent interview with Gaytey, Washington revealed that “I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it out, they cut it, I think they got chicken. 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.’ It’s the kiss of death.”

The “Gladiator II” script mentions that Washington’s character, Macrinus, has been in relationships with other men in the past.

At the Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Connie Nielson — who reprises her role as Lucilla in the “Gladiator” sequel — shared her thoughts on Washington’s cut same-sex kiss scene.

“My grieving scene didn’t make it into the film either,” Nielson told me. “It’s not homophobia. It’s just there was no room for it.”

Producer Michael Pruss added, “There was so much stuff that was shot that didn’t make it into the film. It was truly a non-event.”

Paul Mescal, who stars as Lucius (son of Russell Crowe’s character in the original 2000 film), told Attitude magazine recently that the movie will appeal to a diverse audience. “I think this film is for the guys, the gays, the girls, the mums, the dads,” he said, adding: “The bros will love it as well, don’t get me wrong.” 

Nielsen also spoke about Mescal at the Governors Awards. “He’s such a wonderful actor,” she said. “It’s incredible how much he’s done in such a short time. He’s really really gifted, not just as an artist, but also I just think as a human. The fact that he’s able to withstand this type of pressure this young, it’s laudable and amazing and he is a lovely person.”

“Gladiator II” is in theaters Nov. 22 following its Los Angeles premiere tonight in Hollywood. Make sure to check out Variety‘s social channels for all our red carpet interviews starting at about 6 p.m. PT.