Actor Denzel Washington has provided further insight into his previous comments about a scene in the upcoming movie Gladiator II, where his character was supposed to kiss another man. The scene, however, did not make it to the final cut.
When director Ridley Scott was informed about Washington’s claim of kissing a man “full on the lips” for the film, he dismissed the claim during the Hollywood premiere of the movie on Monday (Nov. 18). Scott explained that the moment was acted out, but the actors did not actually share a kiss.
In a conversation with a Variety interviewer, Scott, 86, refuted Washington’s claim, saying, “No, that’s bullsh*t.” He further clarified, “They never did [kiss]. They acted out the moment — it didn’t actually happen.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 13: Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington attend “Gladiator II” The Royal Film Performance and Global Premiere at Leicester Square on November 13, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Washington then clarified his initial statement, explaining that the supposed kiss was more of a “peck” and that the incident is being exaggerated.
Shrugging off the controversy, Washington stated, “It really is much ado about nothing,”. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, gave him a peck and then I killed him.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 13: Denzel Washington laughs with a reporter on the red carpet at the “Gladiator II” The Royal Film Performance and Global Premiere at Leicester Square on November 13, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Ackerman/FilmMagic)
In a previous interview with Gayety in October, Washington mentioned that his character in Gladiator II shared a same-sex kiss with a man his character would later kill. However, the scene was ultimately removed from the final film.
“I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it…they cut it. I think they got chicken… I kissed a guy full on the lips. I guess they weren’t ready for that yet.”
The acclaimed actor added, “I killed him about five minutes later. It’s Gladiator. It’s a kiss of death.” You can watch the clip below.
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