“It Didn’t Happen”: Ridley Scott Denied Denzel Washington’s Claim That His Same-Sex Kiss Was Cut From “Gladiator II”

    In the director's interview, someone off camera can be heard saying that they “even went back and looked” to confirm that Denzel’s kiss was “never” there.

    Ellen Durney
    by Ellen Durney

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Gladiator II director Ridley Scott denied Denzel Washington’s “bullshit” claim that his same-sex kiss was cut from the movie.

    Denzel Washington, Ridley Scott, and Paul Mescal in tuxedos stand on a red carpet at a formal event
    Dave Benett / Alan Chapman/Dave Benett / WireImage

    In case you missed it, Denzel — who plays a wealthy Roman entrepreneur named Macrinus — claimed in an Oct. 31 interview with Gayety that he “kissed [a] man in the film” but that the powers that be “cut it” because “they got chicken.”

    A closeup of Denzel smiling
    Kristy Sparow / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

    “I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet,” the Oscar-winner said. “I killed him about five minutes later. It’s Gladiator. It’s the kiss of death.” 

    For context, it is mentioned in the script that Denzel’s character has been in relationships with men in the past.

    A few weeks before this, Paul Mescal — who stars as Lucius — also told Entertainment Weekly that a moment where he kissed Pedro Pascal’s character on the forehead was cut from the film, despite the director approving of it on the day.

    Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for BAFTA

    “I did it in one of the takes, and then we’re getting the radio messages back to Ridley [in video village], and I was like: ‘Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yay or nay?’” Paul said. “There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back, and [Ridley] goes: ‘I’m afraid I did.’”

    When asked about Paul’s kiss with Pedro in a subsequent interview with CinemaBlend, Ridley said that he couldn’t remember why it wasn’t included in the movie but assured fans that it’d make it into the “director’s cut.”

    Karwai Tang / WireImage

    However, it doesn’t sound like this will be the case for Denzel’s kiss, which Ridley claims never happened.

    Gareth Cattermole / Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

    “No, that’s bullshit,” Ridley told Variety at last night’s Gladiator II premiere in LA. What's more, in the interview clip, someone off camera can be heard saying that they “even went back and looked” to confirm that Denzel’s kiss was “never” there.

    Ridley Scott denies that Denzel Washington's same-sex kiss that was cut from #Gladiator2 happened: "They acted the moment — it didn't happen." pic.twitter.com/FstxCHBKRt

    — Variety (@Variety) November 19, 2024
    Twitter: @Variety
    “They never did,” Ridley followed up. “They acted the moment — it didn’t happen.”

    Elsewhere at the premiere, Denzel indicated that the narrative had maybe gotten out of hand, telling Variety: “It really is much ado about nothing.”

    Neil Mockford / WireImage

    “They’re making more of it than it was,” the star said, maintaining that the kiss did happen but that it was just a “peck.” “I kissed him on his hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him.”

    Um…is anyone else still confused? Regardless, it sounds like there’s no bad blood between Ridley and Denzel, so I guess the case is closed.