Denzel Washington recently shared a surprising detail about his role in Gladiator II: a same-sex kiss he filmed for the movie ended up on the cutting room floor. In a conversation with Gayety, Washington, who portrays Macrinus—a wealthy Roman power player—shared that the scene involved him kissing another man on the lips, followed by his character killing the man shortly thereafter. “I actually kissed a man in the film, but they took it out,” Washington said. “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.”
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Despite the kiss being cut, Washington’s portrayal of Macrinus is generating Oscar buzz in the Best Supporting Actor category, highlighting a strong performance that reunites him with Scott. The two previously collaborated on the 2007 crime drama American Gangster, a project Washington said deeply inspired him.
Interestingly, Washington wasn’t the only actor who suggested exploring affectionate gestures to depict complex relationships. Co-star Paul Mescal revealed that during a rehearsal for a fight scene with Pedro Pascal, he attempted an unscripted kiss on the forehead. Though initially met with hesitation by Scott, Mescal’s and Washington’s instincts reflect the actors’ shared desire to push boundaries and add authentic dimensions to their characters.
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The movie, scheduled to open in theaters on November 22, will see Washington join a powerful ensemble cast, including Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger. With the film competing against big releases like Wicked and Bonhoeffer, audiences will get to experience Scott’s epic vision alongside Washington’s intense and intricate performance.
Though Washington has hinted that his acting days may be numbered, his willingness to take on nuanced roles and collaborate with visionary directors like Scott speaks volumes. Whether audiences get a director’s cut that includes the controversial scene or not, Gladiator II is poised to add another memorable chapter to both Washington’s legendary career and to Ridley Scott’s cinematic legacy.
In addition to Gladiator II, Washington is involved in producing The Piano Lesson, which is set to premiere on Netflix on the same day (Nov 22).