Denzel Washington Reveals Same-Sex Kiss Cut from Gladiator II
Paul Mescal, who stars alongside Washington, revealed that a forehead kiss he performed with Pedro Pascal during a fight scene was also cut from the film.
Denzel Washington recently disclosed that a same-sex kiss he filmed for Gladiator II was cut from the final version of the film.
During an interview with Gayety, Denzel Washington shared that he kissed a male co-star, but the scene did not make it into the movie.
Washington humorously remarked, “I kissed a guy full on the lips and I guess they weren’t ready for that yet,” suggesting that the decision to remove the scene was due to hesitation from the filmmakers.
Washington plays Macrinus, a character described as a prosperous Roman businessman, in Ridley Scott’s sequel to the 2000 blockbuster.
He noted that his character has had relationships with men in the past, which aligns with historical interpretations of sexuality in ancient Rome. He joked about the scene, saying, “I killed him about five minutes later,” referring to it as the “kiss of death”.
Additionally, Paul Mescal, who stars alongside Washington, revealed that a forehead kiss he performed with Pedro Pascal during a fight scene was also cut from the film.
Mescal had improvised this moment during rehearsal, and although director Ridley Scott initially approved it, it ultimately did not appear in the final edit.
Gladiator II is set to be released in theatres on November 22, 2024, and both Washington’s and Mescal’s omitted scenes have sparked discussions about representation and risks in mainstream cinema.
