Denzel Washington has clarified his initial remarks regarding his character kissing another man in new film Gladiator II, but the scene eventually being cut.
Upon hearing of Washington saying he kissed a man “full on the lips” for the film, director Ridley Scott called BS on the red carpet of the film’s Hollywood premiere Monday (Nov. 18). According to the filmmaker, the moment was “acted” but they never actually kissed.
“Denzel said he kissed a man on the lips but it didn’t make the final cut,” an interviewer from Variety told Scott, 86, who responded, “No, that’s bullsh*t.” He later added, “They never did [kiss]. They acted the moment — it didn’t 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 went on to clarify his statement, saying the kiss was more of a “peck” that is now being blown out of proportion.
“It really is much ado about nothing,” Washington said. “They’re making more of it than it was. I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and 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)
During an October chat with Gayety, Washington stated that his character shared a same-sex kiss with a man he would soon kill, but that the scene was eventually cut from the 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.”
“I killed him about five minutes later,” the thespian added. “It’s Gladiator. It’s a kiss of death.” Check out the clip below.
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