Gladiator II director Ridley Scott has said reports that a same-sex kiss was cut from the film are "bullshit".
Denzel Washington, who stars in the follow-up to Scott's 2000 blockbuster as wealthy arms dealer Macrinus, recently said that he "kissed a man in the film" but that he thought "they cut it".
"I actually kissed a man in the film but they took it... I think they cut it, I think they got chicken," he said during a video interview with Gayety.
"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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However, while speaking to Variety at the film's Los Angeles premiere on Monday (November 18), Scott said while the moment was acted out, this didn't happen.
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"No, that's bullshit," he said. "They never did. They acted the moment – it didn't happen."
The publication also caught up with Washington at the premiere, who described the kiss as more of a "peck" on the lips.
"It really is much ado about nothing," he said. "They're making more of it than it was.
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"I kissed him on the hands, I gave him a peck and I killed him."
Set 20 years after the death of Russell Crowe's Maximus, Gladiator II sees the return of a now grown-up Lucius Verus (played by Paul Mescal).
After his home is destroyed by the Roman Empire, Lucius becomes a gladiator and seeks revenge, while also dealing with his secret royal identity as the true heir to the throne.
The film debuted at number one at the global box office over the weekend, grossing $87 million across 63 markets.
These figures have made Gladiator II Paramount Pictures' biggest international opening for an R-rated movie, as well as the biggest international opening for a Ridley Scott movie.
Gladiator II is out now in UK cinemas, and is released in US cinemas on November 22.
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Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
